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 tasked with seeking approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for this model. Additionally, the bill introduces a health care workforce and community support grant program that will replace several existing health care-related programs that are being eliminated. This new program aims to recruit and retain health care professionals in rural areas, with HHS authorized to create flexible application processes and evaluation criteria for grant applications.

Moreover, the bill creates a health care professional incentive program fund to provide awards to eligible health care professionals in high-demand occupations working in underserved areas. It outlines the eligibility requirements, including the execution of a program agreement detailing employment obligations and award conditions, with a maximum aggregate award amount of $200,000. The legislation also repeals several existing health care-related grant and residency programs, consolidating resources under the new incentive program. It includes provisions for the transition of existing loan repayment and award programs, ensuring unencumbered funds are redirected to support the new initiatives. Overall, the bill aims to streamline health care workforce support and enhance service availability in rural 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