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HF 2192 will be discussed in the Senate Human Resources committee at 10:15 am on Thursday, 6-4 Here are a few talking points.  See previous newsletters on telehealth for specific targets and contact information  Telehealth increases access for clients Clients like telehealth and it will be difficult to coax some of them back to in-office visits Clients are at least as likely, if not more likely, to keep their telehealth appointments Barriers to access such as transportation, are decreased with telehealth Some clients actually do BETTER using telehealth Telehealth can increase the geographical reach of s...

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Senate Human Resources Committee is meeting Thurs. 6-4 at 10:15 am HF 2192, a bill on telehealth is on the agenda for discussion. This bill is very likely to be amended so please watch this space for updates. Please email your state Senator about this bill and tell them at 100% of in-office reimbursement rate is very important for mental health providers and why.  Here are some talking points:   I am writing about the sections of the Governor’s proclamation on the use of telehealth and reimbursement rates for telehealth, which are scheduled to expire on 6-26-2020. I hope that the Iowa State Legislature w...

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HF 2470 passed the House Ways & Means Committee meeting on Wed. 6-3.  Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, who is generally supportive of professional licensure, said that there will be some amendments.  That could come as early as late this afternoon.  This was a bi-partisan bill with only three democrats voting against it. https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=88&ba=HF2470 If you have not reached out to your own legislator, now would be the time to do so. Here are some talking points: This bill will not accomplish what seems to be the intent of the main booster – Americans for Prosperity. (T...

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Action alert re:  Telehealth It has been brought to our attention that Iowa State Senate is working on a telehealth bill that would not be as expansive in coverage as the current Governor’s Proclamation.  If you have time for one email or telephone call:    Please email Senator Majority Leader Whitver and ask him to work with Senator Jeff Edler and their caucus to craft a bill that includes the provisions outlined in the Governor’s proclamation.  This includes reimbursement rates at 100% of an office visit rate reimbursement for services from locations other than clinics reimbursement...

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  Scroll down for more information on these topics:   Governor’s Proclamations dated 4-27-2020 & 5-6-2020 Medicare State Legislative Update Federal Advocacy New website Voting is Social Work! Upcoming CEU events Survey on Telehealth Good news in Central Iowa Chapter Elections   Governor’s Proclamations dated 4-27-2020 & 5-6-2020 These proclamations expire on 5-27-2020 The portions of the Governor’s proclamations that impact the practice of social work were simply extended until 5-27-2020.  The Iowa Board of Social Work has updated the guidance on ...

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Governor’s Latest Proclamation includes licensing (Sun. 3-22-2020) https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/gov-reynolds-signs-new-proclamation-continuing-state-public-health-emergency See sections Seven and Fifteen regarding Social Work Section Seven has do with obtaining a license I have sent emails to the Iowa Board of Social Work and our social work delegation in the Iowa House alerting them to my question about independent social workers as referenced in the Governor’s proclamation.The Governor charged the professional boards with issuing guidance on these matters and the Iowa Board of Social Work is working on thi...

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A recent article in Forbes cites the National Association of Social Workers and University of Iowa School of Social Work's research reviewing state codes in terms of nursing home social work qualifications. 

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ü  You feel sad when you watch the news and wonder what you could do to help;

ü  you react to people's bad moods by wondering why they're so crabby;

ü  you want to do something to make the world a better place;

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