Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF531

Introduced
3/5/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to nursing facilities and submission of the financial and statistical report.

Impact

The enactment of SF531 is poised to reform how nursing facilities report their financial activities. By excluding non-essential costs from their reports, the law seeks to enhance accountability and accuracy in the financial representation of these facilities' operations. This could lead to more precise budget allocations and funding decisions by the state, as it will reflect a clearer association between state funds and patient care standards in nursing homes.

Summary

Senate File 531 addresses the financial and statistical reporting requirements for nursing facilities in Iowa. The bill mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services adopt rules to amend existing administrative code regarding what expenses nursing facilities can report. Specifically, it limits the types of costs that can be classified as reimbursable, emphasizing that expenses unrelated to patient care, such as lobbying costs, association dues, and certain legal fees, should not be included. This transparency aims to ensure that reported costs are reflective of actual patient care expenditures.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding this bill is the potential impact it may have on nursing facilities that rely on legal consultations and advocacy services. While proponents argue that limiting reimbursable costs will promote integrity in financial reporting, critics may express concern over the facilities' ability to adequately defend themselves in legal proceedings without incurring unsustainable out-of-pocket expenses. The specified hourly caps on legal fees for class violations also raise questions about adequacy in legal representation, potentially affecting the outcome of litigation involving patient safety standards.

Overall_significance

In summary, SF531 represents a key step toward reforming the financial oversight of nursing facilities in Iowa. By tightening the definitions of allowable reimbursable costs, the bill strives to prioritize transparency and a focus on patient care, while also igniting debate about the balance between regulation and the practical needs of nursing facilities in navigating their operational challenges.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF2317

A bill for an act relating to the requirements for authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, and providing penalties.(Formerly HF 537.)

IA HF2470

A bill for an act relating to the requirements for authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, and providing penalties.

IA HF685

A bill for an act relating to health care services and financing, including nursing facility licensing and financing and the Medicaid program including third-party recovery and taxation of Medicaid managed care organization premiums. (Formerly HF 525, HSB 177.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA SF2354

A bill for an act relating to the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, and the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly SSB 3146; See SF 2420.)

IA HF2509

A bill for an act relating to the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, and the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(Formerly HSB 653; See HF 2673.)

IA HF2215

A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

IA SF2038

A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

IA SSB3146

A bill for an act relating to the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, and the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2354, SF 2420.)

IA HSB653

A bill for an act relating to the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, and the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 2509, HF 2673.)

IA HF2673

A bill for an act related to state behavioral health, disability, and addictive disorder services and related programs, including the transition of behavioral health services from a mental health and disability services system to a behavioral health service system, the transfer of disability services to the division of aging and disability services of the department of health and human services, the elimination of the commission on aging, the elimination of special intellectual disability units at state mental health institutes, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly HF 2509, HSB 653.) Effective date: 05/15/2024, 07/01/2024, 07/01/2025.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.