Idaho Public Health Association

Week Four

05 Feb 2017 2:54 PM | Deleted user

We have now passed week four of the 2017 legislative session. This week I will continue moving forward with my national ACA watch, look at a few new pieces of legislation up close, follow up on previously covered items, and explore some advocacy opportunities in greater detail. As always, if you have questions, comments, or suggestions regarding issues or items that you would like to see followed here, please feel free to contact me at: tiffenystees.policyintern@gmail.com.

On the National Level

The numbers are in. The Washington Post reports that approximately 9.2 million people signed up for health care coverage last week through HealthCare.gov, roughly 500 thousand fewer than last year. The Trump administration halted all outreach activities six days prior to the close of the enrollment period, partially accounting for the steep decline in numbers. Tom Price, Trump’s candidate as Secretary for Health and Human Services, has proposed one of the many (and most comprehensive) replacement plans for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to date. To read more about Price’s plan, JAMA offers insight and overview as to its content and implications.

Further consequences of the repeal of ACA were discussed in the 2017 Idaho Legislative session. Program Director of Idaho’s Catastrophic Health Fund (CAT), Kathryn Mooney, testified before the House Health and Welfare Committee that indigent care costs could jump by 20 million dollars annually with the repeal of the ACA. Mooney remarked that numbers have been steadily declining over the past four years thanks to the state health exchange, but notes that all of this could change drastically in the near future. William L. Spence, of the Lewiston Tribune, reports that, “the Catastrophic Health Fund [program] has returned more than $40 million to the state general fund since 2012, in part because people who previously relied on indigent care can now afford to buy subsidized insurance.” Read Spence’s full article here.

Roger Christensen, chairman of the Catastrophic Health Fund, told the JFAC committee on February 1^st, that cases requiring CAT assistance are up by 7.5%, and expressed concern particularly surrounding the area of Idaho’s indigent mental health needs, noting that CAT's requested 18 million dollar budget is made less predictable by the current uncertainty surrounding health care in general. Read source material here.

For easy to implement guidelines in contacting Idaho lawmakers regarding health care coverage issues facing our state, Close the Gap Idaho has an excellent template and instructions here. Use it, or pass it on.

Looking Forward

Significant Medicaid budget changes are coming next year that will transform Idaho children’s mental health services. These changes will not result in large state spending, but will effectively result in tripling services for children with serious mental health issues. Read more here.

Medicaid Administrator, Matt Wimmer's, January 31^st JFAC testimony is available at the link provided.

We are ABLE!

H0041 will allow Idahoans with disabilities that have ABLE accounts (accounts falling under the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE) in other states to save monies for qualified disability expenses (e.g. education, transportation, housing, etc); monies that will not factor in to determining fiscal eligibility for state or local assistance programs (so long as that same activity is in line with what qualifies for federal assistance eligibility). Currently, Idaho does not have an ABLE account program. Read the full bill text in the IPHA Bill Tracker below, or the statement of purpose in the link provided above.

Protections for the LGBTQ Community

Bill H0062 proposes to prohibit state funding for “conversion therapy,” defined as a therapy that “seek[s] to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity." H0062 also prohibits a licensed professional counselor from engaging in the same. For more information on what “conversion therapy" is and its deleterious effects, visit the Human Rights Campaign’s website here

Funding Formula

A study conducted in 2015 by the Office of Performance Evaluations, found that the current Idaho Public Health District funding formula is inconsistently linked to program needs within various districts. H0080 seeks to revise this formula to better meet district needs, and be more responsive to population and poverty numbers. Read the full text of the bill below, and the statement of purpose at the link provided in this text.

J-1 Visas for Physicians

H0081 proposes amendments to the current Idaho Conrad J-1 Visa Program that allows qualified Idaho healthcare organizations to place foreign trained physicians in federally designated shortage areas. Among other things, H0081 would grant Idaho healthcare organizations not located in such areas the ability to apply for J-1 slots. In view of Idaho’s identified doctor shortage (addressed again in Governor Otter’s State of the State this year), this will be a bill to watch.

Eye on S1009

My watch on Bill S1009 continues this week, as it passes through the Senate in a 29-5 vote, and now moves to the House. To read more about the current activity surrounding this bill go here

As was stated last week, some agencies supporting stronger, more protective air quality regulations include, the American Medical Association, American Lung Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Thoracic Society, and the American Heart Association. For further reading on the subject of ozone levels, air quality, and the impact of both on human health go here. For more about S1009, and its trajectory through this legislative session, go here

Following Up…

The Idaho Caregiver Alliance is hard at work and making progress. On Thursday, February 2, Sarah Toevs presented the Idaho Lifespan Family Caregiver Action Plan to the House Health and Welfare Committee. The ICA plan outlines recommendations for how Idaho might improve that support and ensure that families can continue to fill their important caregiving role. The plan was well received by the committee with Chairman Fred Wood indicating that the committee would do all it could to support the plan. Following the presentation, Rep. Christy Perry (R-11) presented a draft concurrent resolution that stated the legislature's recognition of the issues facing family caregivers and their support for the plan. The committee agreed to print the resolution, now HCR 3. The resolution will return to the committee for a hearing at which time members of the public can provide comment. A presentation of the plan is also scheduled for Thursday, February 16 in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

Advocacy spotlight:

AARP’s lobby day at the capitol is rapidly approaching (February 7^th), and will be bringing awareness to the Idaho Legislature about the importance of issues facing those over 50. Wear red to show your support. Read about AARP’s priorities as outlined to the Trump administration here

February 15^th is Suicide Prevention Advocacy Day the Capitol, sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Idaho. Idaho has moved from the 9^th to the 5^th highest state in the nation for suicides, making this event vital for attendance by mental health advocates, and the public alike.

Upcoming Advocacy Days & Involvement Opportunities

February 7th: AARP Idaho, 1st floor, Capitol

February 15th: Suicide prevention advocacy day at the Capitol sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Idaho. For more information about this and the AFSP go here

February 21st: Consortium for Idahoans with Disabilities, 1st floor, Capitol (for more information visit CID on Facebook here

February 27th: Alzheimer's Association Idaho, the Capitol. Be visible and wear purple to show your support on their advocacy day!

IPHA Bill Tracker

Bill No.

Description

Last Action

S1003

Nurse emeritus licenses; licensure renewal & reinstatement

01/16/2017 Reported printed; referred to Commerce & HR

S1004

Board of Nursing member raise in compensation

02/03/2017 Read first time; referred to Health & Welfare

S1009

DEQ; crop residue burning

01/31/2017 Read first time; referred to Environment, Energy, & Tech.

S1013

Marijuana/drug paraphernalia repeal

01/20/2017 Reported printed; referred to JR

S1024

Child protective act/definition revised

01/25/2017 Reported printed; referred to JR

S1037

Dentists licensing provisions revised

02/02/2017 Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare.

S1038

Dentistry Board/emergency proceedings

02/02/2017 Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare.

H002

Pharmacists reciprocal licensing

02/03/2017 Read second time; filed for third reading

H003

Pharma/tuberculin protein products

02/03/2017 Read second time; filed for third reading

H004

Pharmacists, tobacco cessation products

02/03/2017 Read second time; filed for third reading

H005

Controlled substances, opioids

02/03/2017 Read second time; filed for third reading

H006

Controlled substances

02/03/2017 PASSED: ayes 32; nays 0; excused 3; title approved, refer to H.

H007

Massage therapists; change “establishment to school”

01/17/2017 Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare

H008

Massage therapists; institute criminal background checks

01/17/2017 Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare

H0010

Chiropractic practice; licensure

02/01/2017 Reported out of committee; referred to Health & Welf.

H0011

Optometrists; licensure/provisions & revisions

01/17/2017 Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare

H0020

Vehicles; hybrid/plug-in fee reduction

02/03/2017 Rep. out of committee w/ ‘do pass’ recommendation; Filed for 2^nd read.

H0025

Tobacco permits, terminology

02/03/2017 Read 2^nd time; filed for 3^rd reading.

H0038

Mental health, cite ref added