This bill aims to reform Iowa's health care system by introducing a hub-and-spoke partnership funding model to improve rural health care delivery. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for seeking federal approval for this model, which encourages collaboration among regional health care providers. The legislation establishes a new health care professional incentive program to attract and retain professionals in underserved areas, while also addressing Medicaid graduate medical education and the Iowa health information network. Significant changes include the repeal of several existing health care-related programs, such as the rural Iowa primary care loan repayment program, and the creation of a new fund to support the incentive program, with unencumbered funds from the repealed programs redirected accordingly.

Additionally, the bill modifies the application process for certificates of need related to health services, introducing a new fee structure and refund policies for applicants. It clarifies that existing statutes regarding health services licensure and regulation remain intact and allows certain facilities to adjust services without a full review process. The bill also eliminates the medical residency training state matching grants program and the state-funded psychiatry residency and fellowship positions, while ensuring that funding for positions awarded before June 30, 2025, is maintained. The governance of health care programs is streamlined by dissolving the health facilities council and transferring responsibilities to HHS, alongside the establishment of an exchange advisory committee to oversee the Iowa health information network. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance Iowa's medical workforce and improve health care governance while maximizing federal funding opportunities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 135.107, 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.4, 135D.5, 135D.6, 135D.7