The Rozenboom Report – March 23, 2018

by Ken Rozenboom

In the Legislature

Following the second major legislative deadline of the year, much of our time on the Senate floor was spent sending bills between the House and Senate, and moving legislation to the governor. We continue to work on tough issues, including affordable health care coverage for Iowans. We have worked collaboratively, making fiscal responsibility a priority, and together we worked on language regarding the Second Amendment.

National Agriculture Day

On Tuesday the Iowa Capitol remembered our roots. Agriculture has been, and always will be the backbone of Iowa’s economy. Our fantastic soil and suitable climate allow almost a third of Iowans to work to make Iowa one of the largest exporters of pork, eggs, soybeans, corn, feed, and processed grain in the country. Many of us go home to our farms after session to grow our crops and livestock, and participate in one of the things Iowa is known for – feeding our country and the world.

Because of the productivity of the American farmer, we enjoy the cheapest, safest food supply the world has ever known. The next time you enjoy corn on the cob, or a bacon wrapped filet, remember to thank the farmers that brought them from their fields to your tables.

Improving Mental Healthcare

In 2017 a law was passed that created a workgroup to make recommendations to legislators on mental health care in Iowa and how we can improve services and continuity of care. House File 2456 is a product of the recommendations of this group, which was made of up medical professionals, law enforcement officials, hospital and clinic staff, and representatives from mental health centers. I believe this is the most significant mental health legislation passed in many years in Iowa.

This legislation builds on Iowa’s community-based mental health system and works to improve mental health care by reducing fragmentation of services. This proposal expands services to include evidence-based preventative services to help mental health patients before crisis and treat patients in the proper setting. It also removes the statewide sub-acute bed cap and allows facilities to transition patients to a lower level of care before they prepare to return home. The policy improves the communication and processes between mental health professionals and law enforcement to prevent long-distance trips across the state for care, providing for critical access points for all Iowans no more than 90 minutes from anywhere in the state.

Medical Care Options

The Senate also passed HF 2356 which clarifies that a direct primary medical care contract can be entered into between a patient and a provider. Under this proposal, an individual or family can enter into a contract with direct primary medical care provider for a set amount of services. This provides another option for people who perhaps can’t afford costly health care premiums, want a plan that covers a few essential services, or someone who just wants quicker access to some health services. Individuals or families would still need to acquire a catastrophic plan for services not covered. A few other states have looked at this policy as an option for health care for their citizens as health care costs continue to rise.

Another one of the bills the Senate passed this week was House File 2305, which prohibits insurance companies from discriminating between coverage benefits for health care services provided via telehealth versus those provided in person. This is an important update to our law as telehealth services grow in our rural communities. Those Iowans can expect to have insurance pay for those services just as if they were provided in person.

Fiscal Responsibility

Those that practice fiscal responsibility tend to have a strong work ethic and do their best to live within their means. The Iowa Senate and House are working together to bring that same sense of fiscal responsibility to state government, and have made tough judgment calls regarding certain adjustments to the budgets of various agencies and departments that use state funding. A bill which passed the Senate and House this week cuts overall state spending by nearly $35 million.

Second Amendment

This week the Senate passed House Joint Resolution 2009. This proposal begins the process of doing what 44 other states have done and proposes Second Amendment language to the Iowa Constitution, if approved by the people of Iowa. The identical language of this bill must be passed by the next General Assembly before the proposed amendment will go to Iowa citizens for a vote in 2020. I believe this bill is a necessary step to ensure the right to keep and bear arms in our state for those who abide by the law. The bill passed the Senate 34-15.

Future Ready Iowa

Senate Republicans have not wavered from an agenda focused on strengthening Iowa’s economy and ensuring a prosperous future for Iowans. During the past 15 months we have passed legislation with growth and improving Iowa’s business climate in mind. This week was another step in that direction with the passage of the Future Ready Iowa initiative.

Iowa employers continue to share a need for more skilled workers and an educated workforce. Many business owners stress that these two factors are imperative if they want to continue to grow and be successful. The governor’s Future Ready Iowa proposal focuses on expanding learning programs for those exploring new career opportunities.

Governor Reynold’s Future Ready Iowa proposal is intended to educate and train Iowans. The goal is for 70 percent of Iowans to have education or training beyond high school by the year 2025. This bill would open doors to apprenticeship and internship programs as well as make available resources to pursue the new educational opportunities.

This bill has been well received by Iowa employers and at the Iowa Statehouse. It passed unanimously in both chambers. The future is looking very bright for Iowans, and this policy keeps us moving in the right direction.

As always, I consider it a true honor to serve all Iowans, especially Senate District 40, which consists of Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Appanoose, and Wapello counties.