HF 2518 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to establish new processes for reviewing and adjusting Medicaid reimbursement rates for specific providers. It mandates biennial reviews of shelter care and residential treatment costs against current rates (reporting by October 1), annual comparisons of medical service rates to Medicare (non-dental) or neighboring states' Medicaid (dental) (reporting by January 15), and four-year updates to home and community-based waiver service rates using provider cost data. Providers must submit annual cost and supply data by July 1, which the department uses to develop cost-based reimbursement systems. The bill ensures regular rate adjustments based on actual costs and market data, with detailed fiscal impact reports submitted to lawmakers before implementing new rates.
HF 970 allocates $1 million for Iowa's Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fresh produce at farmers markets and grocery stores. It requires grant recipients to match funds dollar-for-dollar and ensures the funds remain available beyond the fiscal year. The bill also seeks federal approval to restrict SNAP-eligible foods to healthy items like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This food eligibility change would take effect only after the USDA approves the modification. The program funding becomes effective upon federal approval of the food rules.
HF 986 establishes new funds and initiatives to enhance financial literacy and prevent financial exploitation for the public. It creates a Financial Literacy and Investor Education Fund and a Financial Exploitation Prevention Fund, which are partially funded by reallocating a portion of agent registration fees. The bill also establishes a Senior Health Insurance Information Program Fund to provide educational materials on health insurance for older Iowans. These provisions aim to educate Iowans on financial topics and assist potential victims of financial exploitation.
House File 995 amends Iowa's medical cannabidiol laws. This bill removes the current requirement that an individual must be a resident of Iowa to receive a medical cannabidiol registration card. It achieves this by striking specific code sections that mandate Iowa residency and by removing the word "Iowa" from references to a patient's residence address when applying for the card. As a result, non-residents of Iowa would become eligible to obtain a medical cannabidiol registration card in the state.
HF 1049 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects programs including aging and disability services, behavioral health initiatives, the medical assistance program, and state-operated specialty care. The bill specifically includes funding for sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures within health-related programs. Signed into law on June 11, 2025, it provides financial support for these services and includes reporting requirements for unspent funds.
HF 1038 allocates funds from Iowa's opioid settlement to state agencies addressing the opioid crisis, directly affecting programs that provide treatment, prevention, and recovery services. The bill specifies how the money is distributed (disbursed) to eligible state entities and includes rules for when the funding takes effect, including retroactive application for prior periods. It does not change eligibility for the settlement funds but establishes the legal framework for their use. The bill passed unanimously and was signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025.
HF 383 would remove the pharmaceutical form of psilocybin (specifically crystalline polymorph COMP 360) from Iowa's Schedule I controlled substances list once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it and reschedules it under federal law. This would allow doctors to legally prescribe, distribute, and market COMP 360 for medical use, directly affecting healthcare providers and patients seeking this treatment. The bill automatically aligns Iowa law with federal FDA decisions on this specific pharmaceutical formulation. Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 11, 2025, so it has not become law.
HF 330 requires health insurance plans to cover evidence-based treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals diagnosed with ASD. It directly affects people with ASD who have health insurance, mandating that insurers provide this coverage without excessive cost-sharing. The bill establishes specific requirements for insurance companies to include ASD treatment services in their coverage, applying to most health insurance plans. This law, signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, ensures that individuals with ASD can access necessary treatment through their insurance.
HF 516 creates priority access for residency and fellowship positions at the University of Iowa’s colleges of medicine and dentistry, directly affecting UI’s medical programs and their affiliated hospitals and clinics. The bill requires state-funded training programs to prioritize applicants from these UI institutions when filling medical residency and fellowship roles. Now law after Governor signed it on June 11, 2025, this policy change aims to strengthen UI’s medical education pipeline without altering broader admission standards for other institutions.
SF 288 requires public colleges and universities governed by the Board of Regents and community colleges to provide academic accommodations for students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth. The law specifically allows these students to withdraw from courses without academic penalty if pregnancy or childbirth prevents them from continuing their studies. Institutions must also provide clear information about available support services, including health care and childcare resources. This policy directly affects pregnant and postpartum students enrolled at these specific public higher education institutions.
