Illinois Update – April 2022

Illinois Update – April 2022

The Illinois General Assembly concluded its spring session on April 9, following an adjournment day that lasted through the night in the House and the Senate. Both chambers will remain adjourned until the Fall 2022 Veto Session, with respective days not announced yet for either chamber. Throughout the summer and fall, UnityPoint Health will...

Wisconsin Update – April 2022

Wisconsin Update – April 2022

2021-2022 Session Concludes The Legislature adjourned in March. Barring special sessions, the Legislature will not reconvene until 2023. During this two-year cycle, the Legislature enacted 267 laws (with one being the subject of a partial veto), and Governor Tony Evers vetoed another 126 enrolled bills. Select legislative initiatives enacted, or...

Iowa Update – April 2022

Iowa Update – April 2022

 Image: Iowa State Capitol, April 20, 2022. (Image Source: Ashley Thompson) 102nd Iowa General Assembly 2022 Iowa Legislative Session in Overtime The second year of the 102nd Iowa General Assembly officially moved into overtime after failing to adjourn sine die on April 19, the 100th calendar day of the legislative session. This date also marks...

Primary Elections 2022

Primary Elections 2022

The mid-term election season has begun. A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. Processes and election dates are governed by each state and differ across the nation. The processes for states within the...

Regulatory Update – April 2022

Regulatory Update – April 2022

UnityPoint Health has submitted comments letters in response to multiple state and federal agency proposals listed below. Click the links to learn more about our comment letters as well as agency proposed rules.   STATE OF IOWA DHS: Community Mental Health Centers & Integrated Chronic Health Homes Amendments Agency: Iowa Department of Human...

Wisconsin Update – February 2022

Wisconsin Update – February 2022

Ongoing Advocacy Protecting Frontline Health Care Workers. Incivility towards health care workers, including threats and acts of violence, has been on the rise during the COVID pandemic. The Legislature is considering legislation (Assembly Bill 960 / Senate Bill 970) that would make threats of violence a felony in Wisconsin. As background, a...

Iowa Update – February 2022

Iowa Update – February 2022

Image (left to right): UnityPoint Health chief operating officer John Sheehan; director of government & external affairs Ashley Thompson; chief compliance officer Andrea Eklund; and chief information officer Laura Smith. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds 2022 Condition of the State address, Iowa State Capitol, January 11, 2022. (Image Source: Ashley...

Illinois Update – February 2022

Illinois Update – February 2022

The Illinois House of Representatives and State Senate are both in regular legislative session almost every week until the scheduled adjournment on April 8. The spring legislative session traditionally adjourns on May 31; however, this year legislative leaders chose to condense the session calendar to allow for current members to campaign for the...

Regulatory Update – April 2022

Regulatory Update – February 2022

UnityPoint Health has submitted comment letters in response to agency proposals; CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination Interim Final Rule, OIG Modernization Request for Information, and CMS Transplant Programs and Organ Procurement Request for Information. Click the links below to learn more about our comment letters as well as...