03Mar 2019 by Lynda Waddington
Iowa bills target emergency insulin access gap

Iowa bills target emergency insulin access gap

Gazette Column
Two bills making their way through the Iowa Legislature would help diabetics receive live-saving insulin in emergency situations. Senate File 291, sponsored by Sen. Carrie Koelker, R-Dyersville, and House File 447, sponsored by Reps. Andy McKean, R-Anamosa, and Lindsay James, D-Dubuque, are working their way through the human resources committees in their respective chambers. Their aim is fairly narrow in that they would allow Iowa pharmacists to dispense a 30-day supply of insulin to those with an expired prescription in an emergency circumstance, even when a physician's authorization cannot be obtained. Similar bills - known as Howdy's Law or Kevin's Law - have been passed in several other states following the advocacy of Dan and Judy Houdeshell of Ohio. Their son, Kevin 'Howdy” Houdeshell, ran out of insulin over the…
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02Mar 2019 by Lynda Waddington
Female Genital Mutilation: Felony or misdemeanor?

Female Genital Mutilation: Felony or misdemeanor?

Gazette Column
Committee work in the Iowa House and Senate has produced differing views on what should happen to those who engage in female genital mutilation. Legislation to prohibit the heinous practice of 'female cutting” is advancing in the Iowa Legislature, with bills now reported out of the judiciary committees in both chambers. That's the good news. The caveat is the bills have diverged, with the Senate bill continuing to call for felony prosecutions and the House bill reducing the offense to an aggravated misdemeanor. Both bills have continued language to protect only juveniles from such procedures. In addition, the Legislative Services Agency has filed fiscal reports in an attempt to show the state's cost in enacting such laws. Senate File 346 was reported out of committee on Feb. 21, with its…
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