House Journal: Page 2143: Tuesday, May 28, 2002
dispense the drug anyway. This could create an additional reluctance on the part of
pharmacists to handle Medicaid patients.
I am unable to approve the items designated as Section 138 in their entirety. This
section would exempt a currently closed nursing facility in Dows from the Certificate of
Need approval process and from meeting current life safety code and physical plant
requirements if the facility reopens by July 1, 2004. Allowing this section would put
the state at risk for liability in the event of any physical plant or clinical operation
problems. Excluding a facility from these requirements could place vulnerable
residents at health and safety risks and would set a dangerous precedent.
I am unable to approve the items designated as Section 141 and Section 151,
subsection 2c in their entirety. This language directs the department to reduce
administrative requirements for the targeted case management waiver. These
requirements are needed to obtain federal approval and support documentation for
claims for federal funds under the waiver.
I am unable to approve the items designated as Section 142 and Section 151,
subsection 2f in their entirety. This provision would require nursing facilities to be
certified for Medicaid and Medicare - even if the facility does not take Medicare
patients. I have previously directed the Department of Human Services to prepare
administrative rules to address dual certification for all applicable nursing facilities,
thus requiring certification of a nursing facility for both Medicare and Medicaid when
they are, in fact, providing services for clients of each program. This directive avoids
unnecessary additional administrative cost for dual certification that would be borne
by the state, over 62 nursing facilities, and Iowans who receive nursing home services.
I am unable to approve the language in Section 165, subsection 2, unnumbered
paragraph 1. This section would limit the amount of reimbursement in relation to
state costs from riverboat and racetrack enforcement costs. Sections 167, 168 and 169
clearly change the reimbursement rate from riverboats and racetracks enforcement
costs to 100% of the related expenses.
I am unable to approve Section 199(a). This section would de-appropriate $600,000
from the FY 2003 Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure fund appropriation for the Enrich Iowa
Libraries program. Quality libraries are a key component of the educational
infrastructure for Iowa's children. A reduction in funding would stifle the progress this
administration has made in improving educational opportunities for Iowa's children.
I am unable to approve Section 215. The administration has made every attempt to
provide quality educational opportunities for all Iowans. This section denies state
employees the opportunity to access educational assistance. I believe this option
should be maintained to further enhance the knowledge and skills of our workforce.
I am unable to approve the designated portion of Section 216. While I understand
the need to reduce paper within state government, I feel that there are times when
making state information available to the public in paper format is appropriate. An
example would be making Iowa tourism brochures available at welcome centers,
tourism booths, and other appropriate venues.
I am unable to approve Section 230. This section would increase the available
yearly allocation of tax credits for the Accelerated Career Education program (ACE). I
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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