This bill seeks to improve Iowa's rural health care system by establishing a new health care hub-and-spoke partnership funding model, which will enhance collaboration among regional health care providers. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for seeking approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to support this initiative. The legislation introduces a health care workforce and community support grant program, replacing previous grant and loan repayment programs aimed at recruiting and retaining health care professionals. This new program will allow communities to apply for assistance tailored to their specific health care provider shortages. Additionally, the bill consolidates existing health care-related awards and loan repayment programs into a new health care professional incentive program fund, which will provide awards to eligible professionals in areas with provider shortages.

Moreover, the bill amends various sections of the Iowa Code related to health care facilities and the certificate of need process, including the removal of the requirement for a rehearing request prior to an appeal. It clarifies the department's authority and establishes criteria for when a formal review of a certificate of need application may not be feasible. The bill also addresses the administration of the Iowa health information network, designating a competitive entity to oversee it and creating an exchange advisory committee to ensure compliance with health information standards. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline health care funding and regulatory processes while enhancing support for health care professionals and improving health information exchange in Iowa.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135.107, 8.33, 249M.4, 135.175, 135.180, 10A.713, 10A.714, 10A.716, 10A.719, 10A.720, 10A.721, 10A.722, 10A.723, 68B.35, 99G.8, 10A.711, 135C.1, 10A.715, 10A.717, 10A.724, 10A.725, 10A.726, 10A.727, 10A.728, 10A.729, 135.131, 135B.5A, 135C.2, 225C.26, 144D.1, 231C.18, 708.3A, 147A.1, 135D.2, 135D.5, 135D.6, 135D.7