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Week Eight

05 Mar 2017 1:23 PM | Deleted user
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 28th, 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 28th 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 9th 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 27th ,the House voted in unanimous support of  H0146, (Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise). H0146 moved on to the Senate the following day (28th) 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 2nd, 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 27th: 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

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