Week eight of the 2017 legislative session has now concluded.  I’ll begin this week’s update by taking a look at President Trump’s address to Congress, and his comments on repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). After taking a quick look at what is happening with close the gap issues here at home, I’ll highlight a few bills newly added to the IPHA bill tracker. 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.

*CORRECTION NOTE* Last week I spoke about Senator Lee Heider testifying on behalf of HCR003. The testifying Senator was actually Senator Fred Martin (R) of District 15, Ada County.

On the National Level

President Trump, in his address to Congress on February 28^th, continued to admonish lawmakers to repeal and replace the ACA. In comments nearly identical to others he has made, the President stated, “We should help Americans purchase their own coverage through the use of tax credits and expanded health savings accounts. But it must be the plan they want, not the plan forced on them by our government.” The President, who in his campaign stated that under his administration all Americans would be “beautifully covered” by “much less expensive and much better” health insurance, appears to be moving away from these campaign promises by touting the larger Republican idea of everyone having access to coverage. The difference is more than linguistic. It means that Americans would have the opportunity to buy their own coverage, in whatever manner, or from whatever entity, they choose. Naturally, this presupposes that those with serious pre-existing conditions, and other low income Americans, could afford the same (or make enough money to fund an HSA, or qualify for tax credits).

All of the directional uncertainty related to “repeal and replace” within the Trump Administration has started to reflect in a shifting attitude toward the ACA by former skeptics. A recent Kaiser Health Tracking Poll found that 48% of respondents showed a more favorable attitude toward the ACA, reflecting the highest approval rating ever recorded in the 60 polls conducted by Kaiser since 2010 (N = 1,160). Read survey methodology here.

On the State Level

February 28^th was also eventful on the state level. House Health & Welfare Chairman, Rep. Fred Wood (R – Burley), withdrew his “Health Care Assistance Program” (H-0160) bill, a $10 million measure designed to partially address Idaho’s health care gap problem. Wood stated, “I don't think there will be any legislation coming forward this year regarding the gap population,” (Lewiston Tribune reporter, Bill Spence cited in The Spokesman Review). However, on Friday, March 3 a new bill closely resembling Rep. Wood’s bill was reintroduced in the Senate by Sen. Marv Hagedorn. More to come on this in the near future.

A reminder that Close the Gap Idaho is sponsoring “A Plan not a Delay Procession,” on Thursday, March 9^th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the First Floor Rotunda. They are asking that advocates wear WHITE to show solidarity, and to add visual impact as supporters engage in procession through the Capitol. 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.

Bills in Focus

H0146: Update

On Monday, February 27^th ,the House voted in unanimous support of  H0146, (Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise). H0146 moved on to the Senate the following day (28^th) where it was read for the first time and referred to Judiciary and Rules. Again, H0146 proposes to “codify standards for sexual assault victims’ access to medical examinations,” and, “sets standards for sexual assault evidence retention and preservation.”

Update: Tobacco 21

Tobacco 21 failed by a narrow margin in the Senate State Affairs Committee on Friday. Opponents of Tobacco 21 believed that such legislation would limit the rights of young people, who are considered old enough to do other things such as “join the military and vote.” Read source material here.

 S1131: Amendment Regarding Medical Abortion

S1131 (Senate State Affairs Committee) proposes to amend section 18-609 of Idaho code to require the Department of Health and Welfare to provide, on their website, “(f) 14-20 Information directing the patient where to obtain further information and assistance in locating a health care provider whom she can consult about chemical abortion, including the interventions, if any, that may affect the effectiveness or reversal of a chemical abortion, and informs the patient that if she wants to consult with such health care providers, she should contact those health care providers before she takes he abortifacient.” The amendment also includes language requiring information be provided that includes a woman’s right to observe heartbeat monitoring over just the stated “hear[ing] of the heart tone.” Senator Lori Den Hartog (R-Meridian) is the contact on this bill. Read more about “abortion reversal” here. Read what the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists report on “abortion reversal” here.

S1117: Self-Funded Insurance

S1117 proposes to amend section 41-4010 of Idaho Code to, “make it easier to create self-funded health insurance plans,” and “adds to the current law giving authority to the director of insurance to extent by up to 12 months the time period a self-funded plan has to meet the minimum surplus requirements (Sen. Steven P. Thayn, R-Emmett). Read about the advantages and disadvantages to employers on self-funding here.

SCR113: Formally Acknowledging Our Physician Shortage

SCR113 was approved in the Senate on March 2^nd, and was sent to the House, and has been referred to Health and Welfare. SCR113’s purpose is to, “bring attention to the pressing need for Idaho physicians and the shortage of residency programs to develop new physicians. It encourages hospitals to expand residency programs in existing fields as well as create residency programs for medical specialties that Idaho hospitals currently do not offer, such as general surgery and pediatrics.” (SOP, Sen. Chuck Winder, sponsor)

Upcoming Advocacy Days & Involvement Opportunities

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

March 9th: Close the Gap Idaho invites the public to attend "A Plan not a Delay Procession" Thursday, March 9th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. on the First Floor Rotunda at the State Capitol. Please wear WHITE to show your support, and to add visual impact to this advocacy opportunity.

IPHA Bill Tracker

Bill No.	Description	Last Action
S1003	Nurse emeritus licenses; licensure renewal & reinstatement	03/02/2017 Senate – reported delivered to Governor on this date
S1004	Board of Nursing member raise in compensation	03/01/2017 Senate – signed by Governor on this date
S1009	DEQ; crop residue burning	03/02/2017 Senate – reported delivered to Governor  on this date
S1013	Marijuana/drug paraphernalia repeal	02/16/2017 H-Read 1st time; referred to JRA
S1024	Child protective act/definition revised	02/22/2017 H-Read 1st time; referred to JRA
S1031	Veterans transport fund grant program	02/09/2017 Read 1st time; referred to State Affairs
S1037	Dentists licensing provisions revised	03/02/2017 Senate – reported delivered to Governor on this date
S1038	Dentistry Board/emergency proceedings	02/09/2017 Rep. out of committee; to 14th Order for amendment
S1046	Health savings acct/high deductible plan	02/28/2017 House – read 1st time; referred to State Affairs
S1050	Immunizations/exemption forms	02/08/2017 S-Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare
S1058	Telehealth access; cost coverage	03/01/2017 Reported out of committee; to 14th order for amend.
S1060	Health care/cytomegalovirus	02/28/2017 House – read 1st time; referred to Health & Welfare
S1081	Immunization assessment bd/sunset revised	03/02/2017 H- U.C. to hold place on 3rd reading calendar 1 legislative day
S1082	Community primary care program	02/13/2017 S- Reported printed; referred to Health & Welfare
S1090	Health Care, advance directives	02/23/2017 Reported out of committee; to 14th order for amend.
S1117	Self-funded insurance	03/03/2017 Senate; rep. out of com. w/ Do Pass rec. Filed for 2nd read.
S1131	Abortion, H&W dept. website posting	03/03/2017 Senate – reported printed; referred to State Affairs
SCR113	Medical residencies; Idaho hospitals	03/03/2017 House – read first time, referred to Health & Welfare
H0002	Pharmacists reciprocal licensing	2/17/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0003	Pharma/tuberculin protein products	2/17/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0004	Pharmacists, tobacco cessation products	2/17/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0005	Controlled substances, opioids	2/17/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0006	Controlled substances	02/14/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0007	Massage therapists; change “establishment to school”	02/24/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for a 3rd reading
H0008	Massage therapists; institute criminal background checks	02/23/2017 H-Returned from Senate failed; filed in office of Chief Clerk
H0010	Chiropractic practice; licensure	02/22/2017 H-Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0011	Optometrists; licensure/provisions & revisions	02/23/2017 S-Reported out of committee; 14th order for amendment
H0020	Vehicles; hybrid/plug-in fee reduction	02/28/2017 Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0025	Tobacco permits, terminology	02/17/2017 Reported signed by Governor on this date
H0038	Mental health, cite ref added	02/24/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0039	Medicaid; H&W agreements	01/24/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0040	Hosp, mentally ill, release notice	01/24/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0041	Individuals w/ disabilities/ABLE accts	02/23/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0042	Behavioral health, council board	01/24/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0043	Med. assistance/eligibility/emotional disturbance	02/22/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0044	Secure treatment facility act	01/24/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0045	Dieticians/licensing revised	02/06/2017 U.C. to be returned to Health & Welfare Committee
H0062	Youth mental health; conversion	01/27/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0080	Public Health Districts/Funding/bd of trustees	02/01/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0081	Health care, J-1 visa waiver program	03/02/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0091	Immunization register/pro license board	02/23/2017 H-Failed; filed in office of Chief Clerk
H0115	Physicians, license background checks	03/03/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0128	Medicaid; payment agreements	03/02/2017 S-Read 2nd time; filed for 3rd reading
H0146	Sexual assault evidence; med exam	02/28/2017 S-Introduced; read 1st time; referred to J & R
H0160	Health care assistance program	02/15/2017 Reported printed and referred to Health & Welfare
H0191	Pharmacy/prescriptions authorization	03/02/2017 S-Introduced; read 1st time; referred to Health & Welfare
HCR003	Lifespan Family Caregiver Action Plan	02/24/2017 Senate – signed by President; returned to House