January 31, 2020
Hello health care advocates,
We are one week into the session, congrats to everyone working so hard! As promised, here is our Friday update or bills we are watching. Please reach out if you'd like to help us support any of these!
BILLS WE’RE SUPPORTING
This 'Keeping Kids Covered' bill would provide 12- month continuous eligibility for kids on Medicaid, and would address other potential barriers to coverage for children by allowing automatic CHIP premiums and chartering a study on Utah’s kids churn issue.
STATUS:
Bill numbered but not distributed
Ban copay accumulator programs for those without generic options. Requires the Department of Health to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization and genetic testing for certain individuals; requires PEHP to provide coverage for in vitro fertilization and genetic testing for certain individuals.
STATUS:
Bill numbered but not distributed
Directs the Utah Department of Health, or third party firm, to analyze All Payer Claims Database (APCD) and report yearly on wasteful spending in Utah.
STATUS:
Bill numbered but not distributed
This bill creates an incentive for health benefit plans to reduce the required copayments for insulin. As well as increasing the number of days for which an insulin prescription can be refilled, increasing the length of time an insulin prescription can last, and increases the number of professions that can be licensed to prescribe insulin.
STATUS:
Bill numbered but not distributed
Provides funding appropriated by the Legislature for a professional education scholarships and loan repayment assistance to health care professionals who locate or continue to practice in underserved areas; and loan repayment assistance to geriatric professionals who locate or continue to underserved areas.
STATUS:
House Committee - Favorable Recommendation
House/Circled
Adds dental education programs to the list of training programs in the rural residency training program.
STATUS:
Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings
House/ to Business & Labor Committee
Directs the Utah Department of Health to apply for a waiver allow inmates with substance use disorder to apply for and receive Medicaid benefits up to 30 days before release from a correctional facility. Creates a substance use and mental health tele-health pilot program to be conducted in one or more county jails, and tax refund for qualifying clinicians providing care for incarcerated individuals.
STATUS:
House/ passed 3rd reading
House/ to Senate
Extends the repeal date for the Children's Hearing Aid Program.
STATUS:
House Committee Pass - Consent Calendar Recommendation
BILLS WE’RE WATCHING
This bill requires the Division of Health Care Financing to apply for a Medicaid waiver or a state plan amendment to extend family planning services to certain low-income individuals; and extends the sunset date for the current reporting requirement.
STATUS:
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor - Rules Committee
Expanded crisis services including expanded mobile crisis outreach statewide, Medicaid reimbursement for certain inpatient treatment, receiving center pilot program, and statewide warm line
STATUS:
Fiscal note received, sent to House HHS
Modifies and enacts provisions related to mental health treatment access. Gives recommendations on the need for more adult beds at the Utah State Hospital. Outlines the responsibilities of assertive community outreach treatment teams (ACOTT's) and requests a grant to develop ACOTT's.
STATUS:
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst - House HHS
Removes the provision that allows a minor to tan with a parent's or physician's consent. Directs the department to post warning signs that are consistent with this bill.
STATUS:
1/27/2020 - House/ failed
1/28/2020 - House/ motion to reconsider
1/28/2020 - House/ circled - House 3rd Reading Calendar
Works to create the Adult Autism Treatment Account to allocate more money for this specific budgeting.
STATUS:
House/ to standing committee - House HHS
This bill amends the definition of unprofessional conduct for prescribing health care professionals and pharmacists.
STATUS:
House/ passed 3rd reading
Senate HHS passed with favorable recommendation
This bill requires a health benefit plan to cover in vitro fertilization if it provides a maternity benefit.
STATUS:
House Rules Committee
Amends provisions relating to the allocation of new appropriations to the Division of Services for People with Disabilities
STATUS:
Senate HHS
This bill subjects to certain requirements, allows a parent or a parent's designee to safely relinquish a newborn child within 30 days after the day on which the child is born.
STATUS:
House/ to standing committee - House HHS
Unnumbered - Pharmaceutical Entity Transparency Act,
Representative Thurston
Unnumbered - Pharmacy Benefit Manager Amendments,
Representative Ray
This bill supplements or reduces appropriations otherwise provided for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019 and ending June 30, 2020 and appropriates funds for the support and operation of state government for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021.
STATUS:
House Rules Committee
