The physician shortage is not exclusive to Iowa, as the projected physician shortfall could reach as high as 86,000 physicians by 2036, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. But compared with other states, Iowa’s shortage is one of the most dire.
Also in the Capitol Notebook: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signs a batch of bills into law
The state’s grain indemnity fund will pay farmers 90 percent of their loss, up to $300,000. The fund was established by the Iowa Legislature in 1986 and accrues via a per-bushel fee on purchased grain and fees on licensed warehouses and grain dealers.
Iowa Economic Development Authority Director Debi Durham’s proposal was considered publicly for the first time Thursday by lawmakers and stakeholders
Also, House lawmakers passed a bill Thursday that would make it a crime to send unsolicited sexually-explicit photos or videos. One legislator dubbed it the “anti cyber flashing” bill.
The appropriation would be contingent on the U.S. Department of Agriculture approving a waiver for exemptions that would strike certain food products from SNAP eligibility, which food accessibility advocates argue would limit access to food.
An Iowa carbon dioxide pipeline company has asked courts to pause or dismiss its pending legal fights against landowners and a state regulator in South Dakota after that state’s adoption of a law that prevents the company from using eminent domain.
Also in the notebook, Iowa House legislators again approved a series of bills related to carbon capture pipelines and landowner rights, and called on the Senate to do the same
Many of the roughly 181,000 Iowans in the state’s version of Medicaid expansion would be subject to work requirements, and the entire program could be eliminated if the federal government ever disallows work requirements, under legislation approved this week by Republican state lawmakers.
Dozens of stakeholders representing Iowa businesses, pork producers, builders and local taxing entities — from cites, counties and schools to hospitals and regional transit services — said they remain “undecided” on the 52-page proposal as they continue to study and analyze potential impacts from the myriad changes proposed.
Drivers in Iowa will be prohibited from operating cell phones and other devices with their hands once Reynolds signs it into law as expected
Agriculture chemical companies would be protected from lawsuits over warning labeling on their products to inform consumers of health risks under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate Wednesday. This bill is now headed to the House, which did not take up a similar bill that was passed by the Senate last year.
Schools in Iowa would be required to install new or modify existing door systems to prevent an active shooter from blocking exit doors, along with a video surveillance system that is accessible to law enforcement during an emergency under legislation advanced by lawmakers Tuesday.
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms,” could be administered to help treat post-traumatic stress disorder under a bill advanced out of an Iowa House subcommittee Tuesday.
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