Contact your senator about CON
The IHA advocacy team sent a new action alert yesterday asking members to email their senators about the certificate-of-need legislation that is eligible for floor debate. Senate File 506 increases the capital expenditure threshold from $1.5 million to $3.5 million now, and up to $5 million over the next 15 years, but does not require new imaging services to receive a certificate of need. Increasing the capital expenditure threshold without having this requirement is detrimental to hospitals. IHA also is concerned about the removal of birth centers from the process without any form of licensure or immunity liability.

IHA and member hospitals oppose this legislation. Senators need to hear from hospital advocates about why these changes would damage rural health care. The action alert includes email messages you can personalize with the importance of keeping Iowa's certificate-of-need process intact. Email Erin Cubit at IHA with questions.

CMS resumes No Surprises Act payment determinations
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requested certified independent dispute-resolution entities to resume making payment determinations under the No Surprises Act for disputes involving items or services furnished on or after Oct. 25, 2022. CMS also updated its guidance for such disputes.

In addition, CMS announced that disputing parties will begin receiving most of their payment-determination notices from the independent dispute-resolution portal email auto-reply-federalidrquestions@cms.hhs.gov. Disputing parties should take note of the email to ensure notices are received.

July leadership webinar addresses emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence plays an important role in leadership to create inspired teams. In the July Lessons in Leadership webinar, Ryan Gallik, founder of Ryan Gallik and Associates, and Michael Stahl, founder of Motivational Concepts, will break down the components of emotional intelligence and servant leadership.

Participants will discuss:

• The behavioral quadrants of outlook, power, communication and enforcement.
• Healthy leadership.
• The Wheel of Influences and its effect on self, others, relations and teams.
• Self-awareness.

The Avoiding Stress Fractures in Your Psychological Ecosystem: Building Self-awareness and Better Self-management webinar is scheduled from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, July 12. Email Joah Hogan at IHA with questions.

HRSA accepting health care careers scholarship applications
The Health Resources and Services Administration’s National Health Service Corps scholarship program is offering scholarships to health professional students pursuing careers as primary care providers. In exchange, students will serve in high-need underserved communities.

Eligible disciplines include:

• Certified nurse midwife.
• Dentist.
• Nurse practitioner.
• Primary care physician.
• Physician assistant.

Scholarships can be used to cover costs associated with:

• Books and equipment.
• Insurance.
• Monthly stipends to help with living expenses while pursuing a degree.
• Tuition and eligible fees.

Scholarship applications are due 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 27.

Scholarship recipients also may be eligible to apply to the National Health Service Corps’ loan repayment program after completing their service agreement.

State receives community behavioral health grant
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it is awarding Iowa and 14 other states each with $1 million, one-year certified community behavioral health clinic planning grants through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Certified community behavioral health clinics serve anyone who requests care for mental health or substance use, despite their ability to pay, and connect people to the care they need. The grants are part of President Joe Biden’s plans to expand behavioral health and substance abuse clinics and builds on previous work including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Certified community behavioral health clinics must meet federal standards for service they provide and are required to see people in crisis immediately. The clinics also are required to provide outpatient care in 10 business days and ensure access to comprehensive care and care coordination with designated collaborating organizations.