We're excited to share the work we've been doing over the last several months, data gathering and presenting our Medicaid Payment Reform needs, has resulted in the draft legislation being filed by Senator Hatch.  We'll keep you informed as our legislation progresses through the committee and sub-committee processes through the timeloine of events below.  Thanks for your continued work to reach out to your local legislators and express your desire for them to support Senate File 2010. 

 

• Iowa Medicaid Cost Savings Proposal
• Iowa Medicaid Cost Savings Proposal Outline
• Iowa Medicaid Cost Savings Talking Points
• 2012 Legislative Priorities Brochure

• April 2012 - The Senate followed through on their verbal committment to include reimbursment increases for home health & HCBS providers in their budget/appropriations bill.  These increases will be negotiated through the Conference Committee process, as the House continues to reject our requests for an increase.  We were, however, able to come to a compromise with the House, and they amended their budget bill to include "intention" to rebase home health and HCBS providers in 2013, requiring a plan and fiscal impacts report from IME by December 31, 2012.  The Senate agreed to the same language as the House, so barring any line item vetos from the Governors office, this is a positive step in the right direction towards our request to be evaluated through a legislated process like our hospital and nursing home partners are for our costs/inflation.  The Senate and House have agreed on language to require DHS/IME to apply for the State Balancing Incentive Payment Program Grant.  This grant will provide monies to our state for them to establish infrastructure to support providing more balanced services in their Long Term Care Supports and Services area.  This will result in a greater emphasis on ensuring access to home and commumity based providers; therefore, we applaud both Chambers for their actions which will support home health and HCBS providers in Iowa. 
• March 2012 - Discussions ongoing with members of the Senate and House regarding reimbursement for Iowa's home care providers.  The Senate has committed verbally to including reimbursement increases for home care providers in their appropriations bill.  Work continues to get consideration of a rebasing process in the House budget bill amendment.
• February 2012 -  Members of IAHC lobbied legislators on our priority during the 2012 Day on the Hill event.
• January 27, 2012 - Subcommittee meeting on SF 2010 scheduled for Monday, January 30th at 4:00pm at the Statehouse.  Introduction of SF 2053 which calls for annual updates in reimbursement rates for cost/inflation for the Elderly Waiver program. 
• January 20, 2012 - met or spoke with the following individuals/organizations this week:  Senator Hatch, Representative Heaton, Representative Schulte, Director Palmer (DHS), Director David Roederer (Dept of Management & Budget), Michael Bousselot, Governor's Healthcare Staffer, LeadingAge Iowa's Executive Director & Policy Director, Iowa Care Givers Association Executive Director & Policy Director/Lobbyist, Iowa Healthcare Association Policy Director, and AARP's Policy Director/Lobbyist Anthony Carroll.  These discussions/meetings were focused on gaining their support and building momentum around the dire need to address home health & HCBS provider reimbursement rates
• January 12, 2012 - IAHC Draft Legislation regarding Medicaid Payment Reform priority filed by Senator Hatch. http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&frame=1&GA=84&hbill=SF2010.
• January 9, 2012 - 2012 Legislative Session begins
• January 5, 2012 - Learned Draft Legislative language approved by Sen. Hatch in regards to IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• December 19, 2011 - Meeting with Representative Heaton to share IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• December 13, 2011 - Meeting with Representative Miller to share IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• November 28-December 9, 2011 – Work with LSA on IAHC Medicaid Proposal draft legislation.
• November 21, 2011 – Received word from Senator Hatch’s office regarding approval to proceed with working with the LSA (Legislative Services Agency) to begin drafting legislation for the IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• November 15, 2011 – Meetings with Senator Hatch and Representative Lisa Heddens, sharing IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• November 9, 2011 – Meeting with Senator Ragan, sharing IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• November 7, 2011 – Meeting with Representative Schulte, sharing IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• October 26, 2011 – Meeting with DHS Director & IME Director, sharing IAHC Medicaid Proposal.
• October 2011 – IAHC 2012 Iowa Medicaid Cost Savings Proposal completed