FEBRUARY 2018

Iowa Legislature Off and Running

The 2018 Iowa legislative session may be a shorter

one if leaders have their way. Their goal is to

complete their work in just 90 days, which means

they would adjourn in early April. The first funnel,

when bills need to make it out of their first assigned

committee or they die, is February 16th.

As is tradition, on the second day of the session,

Governor Kim Reynolds gave her Condition of the

State address, outlining her budget and priorities. In

her speech, she indicated her policy priorities are:

Ensuring water quality

Accessing high-speed internet for rural Iowa

Exploring tax reform for the middle class

Fixing issues with Medicaid Managed Care

Providing access to mental health services

Implementing Opioid Task Force recommenda-

tions

Allowing 529 college saving plans to be used for

private K-12 education.

Governor Reynolds wanted a water quality bill to be

the first bill she signed and she got her way in late

January. The bill redirects existing money toward

voluntary water quality programs in Iowa.

Medicaid: A Hot Topic

Legislators are hearing from their constituents about

their concerns regarding the Medicaid Managed

Care situation. Several bills have been proposed to

address the issue, including three different bills that

recommend pulling long-term supports and services

from the managed care system entirely. In her

address, Governor Reynolds said she still supports

the Medicaid Managed Care system but admits

mistakes were made. She said she

is committed to “make it right.”

Bills of Interest

Some bills that may be of interest

are listed below. To stay alive, bills

must get out of their first assigned committee before

February 16th. If you are interested in commenting on

any bills, contact your legislators or attend one of the

upcoming legislative forums (see page 2 for details).

SF2013 Medicaid MCO Contract

Termination

Pulls the long-term care supports and services

population out of Medicaid managed care, and

allows for a 60-day transition back to the

Medicaid fee-for-service system.

SF2058 MCO Contract Termination

Terminates Medicaid managed care organization

contracts.

HSB520 Opiate Prescription Restrictions

Prohibits practitioners from issuing prescriptions

for more than a seven-day supply of opioids.

HSB516 & SSB3003 Prescription Drug

Coverage

Prohibits an insurance company from limiting or

excluding a persons’ prescription drug coverage.

Links to more information on active bills and contact

information for legislators is available on the HDC

website.

Page 2

Scott County Legislative Forums

Voice your opinions, ask questions, or just keep yourself informed.

State legislators from this area are scheduled to attend these forums:

Saturday, February 10th

Saturday, March 10th

Rogalski Center at St. Ambrose University

518 West Locust Street, Davenport, IA

10 a.m. coffee/conversation, forum 10:30 a.m. to Noon

QUAD CITIES’ NIGHT TO SHINE

Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation

Friday, February 9th

6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

To register, go to qcnight2shine.org

Note date change!

Join us for the Boosters’

VALENTINE’S DAY DANCE

Friday, February 16th

at Hickory Grove Road

from 6 to 8 p.m.

Boosters can come at 5 p.m. to help set up, or come later to help clean up.

Donations for these events are always appreciated!

All HDC participants are welcome to attend HDC Booster parties.

Parent/Interested Persons Luncheon Thursday, February 22nd at Noon

Hickory Grove Road building

Some changes are coming for the Parent/Interested Persons Meetings.

Attend the February meeting to hear about those changes and to have some input on what comes

next.

Call 563-391-4834 or email carolfoster@hdcmail.org to RSVP by Tuesday, February 20th.

Page 3

Like HDC on Facebook and keep up on the latest.

Membership Renewal

The first month of 2018 is already in the books, so you should no longer put off your

Booster membership renewal. A renewal form is conveniently located on the back of

this newsletter. Fill it out, return it with your dues and be a Booster in good standing.

It’s the best deal in town!

Help spread the word to end the use of the

“r-word”. Take the pledge at: www.r-word.org.

Signing the pledge commits you to stop using

the r-word and asking others to stop

too. Spread the Word Day is Wednesday,

March 7th

, but you can take the pledge any

time.

WHY PLEDGE

The R-word is the word 'retard(ed)'. Why does

it hurt? The R-word hurts because it is exclu-

sive. It's offensive. It's derogatory.

The STW campaign asks people to pledge to

stop saying the R-word as a starting point

toward creating more accepting attitudes and

communities for all people. Language affects

attitudes and attitudes affect actions.

Pledge today to use respectful, people-first

language. The website also has all kinds of

other great information, so check it out!

Take the pledge!

Easter Egg Scramble 5K Run/Walk! On your mark...get set... Go!

The 6th Annual Easter Egg Scramble 5K Run/Walk will be

held Saturday, March 31st in the Village of

East Davenport.

The Bunny Hop 1/2 Mile Kids’ Run will begin at

8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m.

An Easter Egg Hunt will follow the completion of the 5K for all kids with a race bib.

To register and for more information, visit www.scramble5k.com.

Handicapped Development Center 3402 Hickory Grove Road Davenport, IA 52809 http://handicappeddevelopment.org

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Name_____________________________________________________________

(Please include both spouses’ names, if applicable.)

Business (Associate Members)________________________________

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City_______________________________State__________Zip____________

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Please make checks payable to: HDC Boosters

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Return to: HDC, 3402 Hickory Grove Rd., Davenport, IA 52806