HCBS Legislative Priorities

You can download the full HCBS Legislative Priorities of Iowa Association of Community Providers here. The document outlines the significant differences in reimbursement rates for services in Iowa. This is because HCBS services (things provided at Hand in Hand like SCL, Dayhab, Respite, Supported Employment, IMMT, etc) only get a rate review and adjustment when we convince lawmakers to review it. Other services, like nursing facilities and resource centers have regular rate reviews built into the law. Part of our advocacy plan this year is to develop the same mechanism as those other much more intensive services so that providers can continue to offer high quality community-based serves designed to keep people out of facilities.

We are keeping a close eye on what may come in the coming weeks. Health and Human Services are looking to find significant savings to Medicaid programs. Most of the savings will likely come in policy updates from the state rather than legislative moves.

It is important that you as families tell your legislators what HCBS services mean for your family. Keeping individuals out of institutions and living in their community as independent as possible is the primary function of HCBS services.