From Representative Sharon Steckman of Mason City –
New Laws Hit the Books July 1
With the beginning of the state’s fiscal year, a host of new laws will take effect on July 1 relating to public health, workforce, and public safety.
Lawmakers took action this session to stop texting while driving. Beginning July 1, law enforcement officers will now be able to pull over drivers and ticket them for texting while driving. Under the old law, officers could not pull over drivers just for texting.
Starting the first of the month, there will be a new initiative to help first-time homebuyers save up for their first home. Another bill going into effect July 1st will expand business opportunities for small breweries, wineries, and distilleries that are now flourishing across Iowa.
Several changes to Iowa law starting in July were made this year to protect Iowans. Some of the new laws include new protections for victims of stalking and abuse; protecting children from drugs; and a new program to reduce drunk driving fatalities.
For more information and a full list of bills, log on to http://www.iowahouse.org.
New Individual Insurance Coverage Proposal
This past spring, Aetna and Wellmark announced that they would no longer participate in the health care marketplace or sell individual health insurance plans. With only one possible remaining smaller provider, Iowa is in a crisis due to the lack of individual insurance coverage options in 2018 which impacts about 72,000 Iowans.
As a result, the Iowa Insurance Division (IID) has requested a waiver from the federal government to create a new insurance plan structure outside of the current marketplace that will entice more insurance companies to offer individual insurance plans to Iowans. The plan structure will maintain all of the essential benefit requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act as well as Iowa’s insurance coverage mandates.
The new plan will have three key features that insurers have stated are necessary for offering an individual insurance plan in Iowa. These features are:
• Increasing subsidies for younger, healthier enrollees;
• Requiring continuous coverage; and
• Subsidizing individuals with a high amount of claims.
The plan would use the anticipated $352 million of tax credits and other assistance Iowans already receive to create a new system that would make individual insurance plans available to Iowans in a different way. A portion of this funding will be used to reimburse insurers for high claim individuals due to chronic or rare conditions.
The IID is hopeful to have the proposal approved by the federal government within the next couple months. More information about the plan can be found here.
