Friday, February 9, 2024

During the fifth week of the legislative session, several bills were discussed that affect IMA priorities. Here is a summary of the relevant updates that were provided.

On February 6, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on SB 1247. Introduced by Sen. Melissa Wintrow (D-Boise), SB 1247 would create a new 24-hour crisis response hold for patients experiencing a major neurocognitive disorder, like Alzheimer’s or Dementia, and are in danger of harming themselves or others. The bill would allow law enforcement or medical professionals to place them in this temporary status.

In October 2023, House of Delegates attendees passed a resolution supporting a change in Idaho law surrounding holds for those experiencing neurocognitive crises not related to a psychiatric condition. Two of the authors, Dr. Nicole Fox and Dr. Jessica Kroll, were heavily involved in crafting SB 1247, working closely with Senator Wintrow and a large group of stakeholders. The two also attended Tuesday’s hearing to provide testimony and answer questions from committee members. With their help, SB 1247 passed the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and was sent to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation.

The only opposition to SB 1247 came from individuals representing a small segment of law enforcement. There are concerns that law enforcement would be in violation of the Fourth Amendment (unreasonable search and seizure) by detaining individuals under this law. However, those individuals generally supported the concept and committed to collaborate with the larger stakeholder group and correct this through the amending order in the Senate, in the event senators allow the bill to be amended.

SB 1247 is expected to be considered by the full Senate in the coming weeks.

Update on Changes to Immunization Reminder Information System (IRIS)

On February 9, the full House debated and passed HB 397 – on a 56-11 party line vote that will send the legislation to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. HB 397 changes IRIS to an opt-in system, significantly decreasing the effectiveness of this valuable public health tool.

Regardless of whether you emailed your Representative, we need your help urging your Senator to oppose HB 397. Here are impacts that your Senator should know:

• The change to opt-in would negatively impact the vast majority of Idahoans who want to be automatically included in IRIS to accommodate a small minority of people who don't want their information included.
• It will be more difficult for patients and physicians to accurately keep track of necessary vaccinations if all information isn't automatically included.
• It increases the chances of patients receiving duplicate vaccinations, adding unnecessary healthcare costs.
• The change to opt-in would create additional work and expense for physicians and other healthcare providers, especially in rural clinics.
• Costs to the state would also increase, as opt-in registries are more expensive to maintain.

Contact your legislator by clicking here.

Please take a moment to view important information from the IMA Public Health Committee by clicking the button below:  

Last week we touched on an effort to increase prescription contraception coverage from three months to six. On February 8, SB 1234 cleared an important hurdle, passing the full Senate with a 19-16 vote. Sen. Wintrow’s bill will be sent to the House where it will likely be referred to the Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

HB 399, which was introduced by Rep. Megan Blanksma (R-Hammett), is expected to clear the House, likely next week. IMA supports the reinstatement of the MMRC, but there are concerns that HB 399 is too narrow. The lobby team will continue working with stakeholders to ensure that peer review protections and other important MMRC functions are in place.

Throughout the Legislative Session, IMA monitors legislation and provides status updates every Friday. Click here to view the IMA Bill Tracker.