Week 4: Iowa State Capitol Report

Dear Mental Health Advocates,

Yesterday marked the end of the fourth week of the legislative session. With just over two weeks until the first legislative funnel on February 16, legislators are eager to get key bills moved forward.

What is a Funnel?

And why does it make everyone at the Capitol hustle? There are two funnels in every Iowa legislative session. They exist to “funnel” or narrow the number of bills that legislators can consider. By the end of the first funnel – February 16 – bills introduced in one chamber (the House of Representatives or the Senate) must pass through a full committee in that chamber in order to remain viable. Bills that do not meet that threshold are likely dead for the session, although there are ways legislators revive their favorite bills. The second funnel is March 15, when a bill must pass a floor vote in one full chamber, plus a subcommittee and committee vote in the other chamber. Appropriations, tax, and spending bills are “funnel proof,” which means the funnel deadline does not apply to them.

There was no full floor debate in either chamber this week. Legislators were busy in subcommittees and committees, including several issues NAMI Iowa is tracking:

The nonmedical switching bill, House File 626, passed both a subcommittee and a committee this week! The bill prevents an insurance company from removing a prescription from its formulary during a plan year. We know that it can take years for people with mental health conditions to find the right medications and to remain stable on those medications; switches can be disruptive and dangerous. HF 626 would ensure that decisions regarding medications stay between a doctor and patient. 

NAMI Iowa testified in favor of the bill at the subcommittee meeting on Monday. Sen. Mike Klimesh remarked that he had not considered the mental health ramifications of the bill, so that testimony made him even more supportive. Now the bill progresses to the full Senate floor.

Last year, a bill was passed by the Iowa legislature that adds mental health resources and crisis helpline information to the back of all student ID cards. This year, Senate File 2103 would require school districts to add mental health resources to district websites. The author of the bill, Sen. Jeff Taylor, said he wrote the bill in response to a request from a young person in his district. Two high school students shared their own difficulties trying to find and seek mental health support. Senator Taylor said he was currently reading a memoir written by a parent in his district who lost a child to suicide. While he admitted his bill is not the only solution, “every little thing we can do helps.” We agree! NAMI Iowa testified in strong support of SF 2103.

This is an example of the power of lived experience and citizen advocacy! Sharing our experiences can create positive change! Please drop Sen. Taylor a note of thanks for listening to his youth constituents and moving SF 2103 forward.

A House Health and Human Services subcommittee unanimously approved House Study Bill 617, which would require reimbursement for ambulance services transporting patients to mental health access centers, just as transport to emergency departments is reimbursed. NAMI Iowa supports this bill. As we said in the subcommittee meeting, if it increases access and removes barriers for people to get the mental healthcare they need during a crisis, we’re for it. The bill now moves to the full House Health and Human Services Committee for debate.

 

Above left: NAMI Iowa Board members and staff with Rep. Michael Bergan (second from left). Above center: NAMI Iowa Executive Director Ryan Crane with Rep. Heather Matson. Above right: Sen. Jeff Edler, Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, and Mary Neubauer, children's mental health advocate and NAMI Iowa Board member.

Kids' Mental Health Matters

On Thursday, children’s mental health stakeholders hosted a legislative breakfast to educate lawmakers about the importance of expanding access and resources within the children’s mental health system. CAMHI4Kids (the Coalition to Advance Mental Health for Kids) includes pediatricians, children’s hospital representatives, educators, child welfare providers, crisis services providers, and more. NAMI Iowa co-leads this group. CAMHI4Kids is focusing on three priorities this session:

 
 

How Does a Bill Become Law?

We loved this easy-to-follow guide to the legislative process that Sen. Janet Petersen recently shared in her newsletter, so we’re re-sharing the basic outline here. Most legislators send weekly or biweekly email updates to Iowans who sign up for their newsletters. You can find your legislator here, then follow the links on their profile page to sign up for emails.

Step 1: Subcommittee

Subcommittees are where legislators hear from the public.

  • The first step for most bills under consideration in the Senate is a subcommittee. This is where a small panel of lawmakers review the bill and take public comment. If you want to make your voice heard on the pros or cons of a bill, this is the place to do it!
  • Subcommittees take place in person at the Capitol, but are usually streamed online as well, with time set aside for public comment.
  • What do to: If you want to speak on a bill in subcommittee, you can attend in person or participate online. You can also leave written comments for lawmakers to read and consider.
  • Find scheduled subcommittees here. Click “Agenda” for meeting details and the Zoom link. Click “Comments” to leave a comment.

Step 2: Committee

Committees are where legislators iron out the details.  

  • If a bill passes out of subcommittee (many don’t!) it’s heard by a full committee of legislators. Committees often have legislators with specific expertise in that issue area. See a list of committees in both the House and Senate here.
  • In committee, legislators discuss a bill and ask questions of the bill manager.
  • Legislators can also amend the bill in committee — that is, offer changes and additions to it based on what they’ve heard from constituents and experts.
  • Committees take place in person at the Capitol but are also streamed online.
  • What to do: Attend in person to show public interest in the issue. Contact legislators on the committee to let them know what you think and how you want them to vote. Find committee schedules here

Step 3: The Floor

Floor debate is where legislators make their stand.

  • A bill that passes committee is eligible for floor debate in its chamber – the House of Representatives or the Senate (although the floor leader decides when and if a bill actually comes up).
  • If a bill is brought up for debate, the sponsor introduces it and then all legislators have a chance to speak and offer amendments to change it. At the end of debate, legislators vote on whether or not to pass it.
  • Floor debate is held in the chamber and streamed online. Watch Senate floor action here. Watch House floor action here. Click here for archived floor debates.
  • What to do: The chamber galleries are open to the public. Attend in person or watch online. Contact your Senator or Representative to make your voice heard.

Step 4: What Happens Next

  • What happens after one chamber passes a bill depends on whether the bill has also been considered by the other chamber.
  • If the bill started in the Senate, it moves over to the House for further consideration – and vice versa.
  • If the bill passes both chambers, it moves on to the governor. The governor gets the final say on all legislation, choosing whether to sign it into law or veto it.  
 

NAMI Iowa Bill Watch

These are some of the bills we are tracking this session. It is not an exhaustive list. If a bill has been passed by the legislature, signed into law, or did not make it through the funnel process, it will not appear on this list. 

Bill Number

Description

NAMI Iowa Position

HSB 500

A bill for an act relating to the Medicaid extended postpartum coverage option, and including effective date provisions

Support

HSB 501

A bill for an act relating to limitations on activities related to paid claims under the Medicaid program, and including effective date provisions

Support

HSB 502

A bill for an act relating to the Medicaid reimbursement rate for psychiatric medical institutions for children

Undecided. We are monitoring to make sure this bill includes enough funding to reimburse PMIC providers for caring for children with higher-acuity needs.

HSB 617

A bill for an act relating to the transport of patients to mental health access centers by ambulance

Support

HF 403

A bill for an act relating to the work without worry program for employed individuals with disabilities under the Medicaid program

Support

HF 626

A bill for an act relating to continuity of care and nonmedical switching by health carriers, health benefit plans, and utilization review organizations, and including applicability provisions

Support

HF 2063

An act providing for the staffing of mental health professionals in primary and secondary schools and making appropriations

Support

HF 2107

A bill for an act requiring public and accredited nonpublic schools to post information on mental health resources online

Support

HF 2210

A bill for an act relating to the licensing of, and granting clinical privileges to, certain health care professionals

Support

SF 2103

A bill for an act relating to the transport of patients to mental health access centers by ambulance

Support

SF 2037

An act prohibiting counties and cities from regulating certain behavioral health and human services

Against

SF 2082

An act relating to Medicaid and children’s health insurance program coverage for mental health services provided in school-based settings

Support

HSB = House Study Bill     SSB = Senate Study Bill     HF = House File     SF = Senate File

 

Upcoming Legislative Forums

A key part of change-making is getting to know your legislator and educating them on the issues that matter to you. Find the Representative and Senator that represent your district by clicking here, then sign up for any emails they send and follow them on social media. You can also attend legislative forums to meet directly with policymakers. Below are the forums we are aware of occurring in the next two weeks (this is not an exhaustive list, as more opportunities are added frequently). Check with the host site or legislators' websites for any cancellations or changes.

Saturday, February 3

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Moore at Montgomery County Family YMCA, 101 E. Cherry St., Red Oak

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Lattes with Latham with Rep. Latham at Rustic Brew, 117 1st St. NW, Hampton

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Discuss Iowa’s 94th District with Rep. Vondran at Tasty Café, 209 E. LeClaire Rd., Eldridge

8:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Community Conversation on AEAs with Area Legislators at Cedar Rapids School District Educational Learning Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd. NW, Cedar Rapids

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Sumner Public Library, 206 N. Railroad St., Sumner

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Jeneary at Security National Bank Community Room, 251 Reed St., Akron

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Muscatine Community College Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at Muscatine Community College Student Services Building, 152 Colorado St., Muscatine

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at Brooklyn Farm Bureau, 122 Jackson St., Brooklyn

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Coffee Office Hours with Rep. Buck at Porch Light Coffeehouse, 417 SW 3rd St., Ankeny

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Sen. Rowley and Rep. Stone at Algona Public Library, 210 N. Philips, Algona

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Marshalltown Education Association Forum with Rep. Cahill at MCSD Orpheum Welcome Center, 220 E. Main St., Marshalltown

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Carlson at American Legion Onawa Library, 707 Iowa Ave., Onawa

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Community Townhall on AEA with Area Legislators at Herbert Hoover High School, 4800 Aurora Ave., Des Moines

10:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Legislative Coffee with Sen. Sweeney at Drake Community Library, 930 Park St., Grinnell

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Jeneary at Floyd Valley Hospital, Lower Level Conference Room, 714 Lincoln St. NE, LeMars

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Nashua Welcome Center, 10 Amherst Blvd., Nashua

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at Wapello City Hall, 335 N. Main St., Wapello

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Office Hours with Rep. Srinivas at South Side Library Meeting Room, 1111 Porter Ave., Des Moines

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Upham Memorial Library, 138 W. Main St., Fredericksburg

2:30 – 3:30 p.m.: Legislative Forum with Reps. Golding and Gerhold at Alburnett High School, 131 Roosevelt St., Alburnett

 

Monday, February 5

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Office Hours with Rep. Srinivas at DMARC Training Room, 100 Army Post Rd., Des Moines

8:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Office Hours with Rep. Baeth at Lua Brewing, 1525 High St., Des Moines

 

Friday, February 9

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Legislative Office Hours with Rep. Matson at Main Street Café & Bakery, 2510 SW White Birch Dr., Ankeny

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: February Legislative Update with Area Legislators at Ankeny Public Library, 1250 SW District Dr., Ankeny

12:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Legislative Briefing with Sen. Driscoll and Rep. Hora at Washington County Hospital & Clinics, Entrance 26, 400 E. Polk St., Washington

4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Policy on the Rocks with Area Legislators at La Cantina Bar & Grill, 5400 Edgewood Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.: Beer at Barley’s with Rep. Turek at Barley’s, 114 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs

 

Saturday, February 10

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Discuss Iowa’s 94th District with Rep. Vondran at Tasty Café, 209 E. LeClaire Rd., Eldridge

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Legislative Coffee with Area Legislators at Mealsite at the Depot, 116 W. Adams St., Creston

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Sieck at Emerson Community Building, 711 Morton Ave., Emerson

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Coffee and Conversation with Area Legislators at Smokey Row, 109 S. Market St., Oskaloosa

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Sen. Rowley and Rep. Wills at Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce, 1121 Broadway St., Emmetsburg

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: February Constituent Coffee Hour with Sen. Boulton at Best Day Coffee, 404 8th St. SW, Altoona

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Parkersburg Public Library, 309 3rd St., Parkersburg

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Farm Bureau Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at Arlington Community Event Center, 853 Main St., Arlington

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Legislative Coffee with Rep. Sorensen at Adair Community Centre, 103 S. 5th St., Adair

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Legislative Forum with Rep. Jones at Kings Pointe, 1520 E. Lakeshore Dr., Storm Lake

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Legislative Coffee with Area Legislators at Chamber and Development Council of Crawford County, 109 N. Main St., Denison

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Community Conversation with Rep. Cahill at Sunrise Café, 908 W. Main St., Le Grand

10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Coffee and Conversation with Rep. Kurth at Eastern Iowa Community College, Belmont Campus, 500 Belmont Rd., Bettendorf

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: AEA Community Conversation in Cedar Falls with Area Legislators at Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Pkwy., Cedar Falls

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Allison Public Library, 412 3rd St., Allison

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Coffee at J’s with Rep. Turek at J’s Coffee and Donuts, 157 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Legislative Coffee with Rep. Sorensen at Farm Bureau, 115 West Ct., Winterset

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Farm Bureau Legislative Forum with Rep. Bergan at Howard County Farm Bureau Office, 311 7th St. SW, Cresco

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Farm Bureau Legislative Forum with Rep. Osmundson at Monona Community Center, 407 S. Egbert St., Monona

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.: Legislative Town Hall with Sen. Salmon at Denver Community Room, 100 Washington St., Denver

 

Sunday, February 11

8:30 – 10:00 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation with with Sen. Donahue and Rep. Wilson at Uptown Coffee Company, 760 11th St., Ste. A, Marion

 

Monday, February 12

8:00 – 9:00 p.m.: Office Hours with Rep. Baeth at Lua Brewing, 1525 High St., Des Moines

 

Tuesday, February 13

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.: Coffee and Conversation with Sen. Donahue at Porch Light Coffee, 417 SW 3rd St., Ankeny

 

Thursday, February 15

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.: February Town Hall with Sen. Petersen and Reps. Baeth and Bagniewski at Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave., Des Moines

 

Friday, February 16

8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Legislative Breakfast with Area Legislators at Mount Pleasant Chamber, 124 S. Main St., Mount Pleasant

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.: Coffee & Conversation 2024 with Area Legislators at Smokey Row, 109 S. Market St., Oskaloosa

9:00 – 10:00 a.m.: Legislative Office Hours with Rep. Matson at Main Street Café & Bakery, 2510 SW White Birch Dr., Ankeny

9:30 – 10:30 a.m.: Iowa Veterans Home Listening Post with Rep. Cahill at Iowa Veterans Home Mallory Hall, 1301 Summit St., Marshalltown

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Lee County Meetings for Local Legislators at Lee County Career Advantage Center, 2495 280th St., Montrose

2:00 – 3:15 p.m.: Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at BioVentures Center, 2500 Crosspark Rd., Coralville

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.: Second Cedar Valley Legislative Forum with Area Legislators at Hawkeye Community College Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St., Waterloo

 

As always, you can find our 2023 legislative priorities here. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and share our advocacy posts with your networks. Help amplify our message!

Find your Iowa Representative and Senator by entering your home address here. Sign up for your legislators' newsletters, and follow them on social media to track what they are working on and opportunities to meet and connect with them.

Do you want to help impact NAMI Iowa's approach to advocacy and policy development? Do you want to use your personal experience to make a difference? Consider joining NAMI Iowa's Advocacy Committee. Email Bethany Kohoutek at bethany@namiiowa.org to learn more.

NAMI Iowa
3839 Merle Hay Rd #229  | Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 254-0417 | info@namiiowa.org

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