Psychedelics, Nurse Licensing and Breast Exam Insurance Coverage Bills in AK & More

Bills Dealing with Psychedelics, Nurses and Breast Exam Insurance Coverage Near Enactment in AK

Alaska’s Senate passed a pair of health care bills that originated in the House (HB 228 and HB 237), sending them to Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R). A third health care-related House bill (HB 285) awaits Senate committee approval.

HB 228 would create a task force to recommend regulations for the use of psychedelic medicines that are expected to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration soon. Those drugs include MDMA, used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, which could receive FDA approval before the end of the year.

HB 237 would let nurses with lapsed state licenses obtain temporary permits allowing them to work for up to six months. Nurses applying for their initial state license are already eligible for such permits, and lawmakers are hoping that giving nurses who previously held licenses the same opportunity will encourage some of them to return to service from retirement or other breaks.

HB 285 would prohibit insurers from requiring patients to share the costs of diagnostic breast examinations, which are more thorough than basic screening mammograms used for most patients. The measure, which the House passed on April 26, has been referred to the Senate’s Labor and Commerce Committee, as well as its Health and Social Services Committee. (NEWS FROM THE STATES, LEXISNEXIS STATE NET)

IA Extends Postpartum Medicaid Coverage for Some Moms

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed a bill (SB 2251) extending postpartum Medicaid coverage for low-income mothers from its current duration of two months to a full year starting in 2025. But the measure also lowers the income threshold for such coverage from 375% of the federal poverty level, or about $117,000 per year for a family of four, to 215% of the federal poverty level, or about $64,500 per year for a family of four. (DES MOINES REGISTER)

—Compiled by SNCJ Managing Editor KOREY CLARK

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