Iowa House Bill HF414

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/22/23
• Refer: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/22/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to Medicaid home and community-based services waiver services and providers, including city and county zoning requirements.

Impact

The proposed bill is expected to have significant implications for state laws surrounding Medicaid and community-based service provision. Specifically, it delineates the roles and responsibilities of city and county governments in relation to the zoning of residences where these HCBS waiver services are utilized. This is particularly important as it touches on the intersection of healthcare provision and local government authority, potentially influencing how communities plan and regulate facilities that offer these essential services.

Summary

House File 414 (HF414) relates specifically to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS) waiver services and providers, along with addressing city and county zoning requirements that apply to residences of HCBS waiver recipients. The bill's primary focus is to clarify the definitions and scope of services provided under Medicaid waivers, ensuring that these services include habilitation, all-inclusive care programs for the elderly, home health services, hospice, targeted case management, and money follows the person services. By explicitly stating these services, HF414 aims to provide clearer guidance for both providers and consumers under the HCBS program.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding the zoning aspects of HF414. The bill could provoke discussions around local control versus state regulations, particularly regarding how local governments manage zoning laws that pertain to healthcare facilities in their jurisdictions. Stakeholders might express concerns that tightening regulations could limit the availability of necessary services for individuals living in community settings and could lead to conflicts between local zoning laws and state Medicaid policies.