Healthcare

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 2, 2026

SF 2488: A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, making appropriations, convening an early childhood Iowa interim study committee, and including applicability, retroactive applicability, and effective date provisions.

Senate File 2488 establishes a new Early Childhood and Family Services System in Iowa to support families with children under 19 years old. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to create a statewide network of services focused on prevention and early intervention, including evidence-based programs like home visiting and parent education. It also sets up a dedicated funding source and requires local health and human services districts to develop plans for implementing these services. Additionally, the legislation convenes an interim study committee to further examine the system's needs and operations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new system for early childhood services, increases funding, and mandates evidence-based health programs like home visiting.85% confidence

Tags Children

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 30, 2026

HF 2796: A bill for an act increasing the tax on cigarettes.

This bill increases the state tax on cigarettes sold in Iowa, directly affecting smokers and retailers. Under the new law, the tax per cigarette rises from 6.8 cents to 14.3 cents, which doubles the cost of a standard 20-cigarette pack from $1.36 to $2.86. The legislation also raises taxes on loose tobacco dispensed from vending machines, increasing the rate from 3.06 cents to 6.43 cents per cigarette. These changes are implemented by amending existing tax code sections to require higher payments to the state department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases cigarette taxes, generating revenue for state budgets and promoting fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreasing cigarette taxes is a public health measure designed to reduce smoking rates and fund healthcare initiatives, aligning with the goal of improving population health.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SF 2495: A bill for an act creating a maternity group home tax credit available against the individual, corporate, franchise, insurance premium, and moneys and credits taxes, and including applicability provisions.

This Iowa bill creates a tax credit for donations made to maternity group homes, which are residential facilities providing care and support for pregnant women and new mothers with their children. Beginning in the 2026 tax year, eligible individuals and businesses can claim a credit equal to 100% of their donation amount against various state taxes, including income, corporate, and franchise taxes. The program includes annual spending limits of $3.5 million total and $500,000 per organization, with applications processed on a first-come, first-served basis and a waitlist established if demand exceeds these caps.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit to incentivize donations to maternity group homes, effectively funding essential health and housing services while providing tax relief.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax credits for donations to maternity group homes, increasing funding and access for pregnant women and new mothers.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds maternity group homes, which are residential facilities providing housing and care for pregnant women and new mothers, directly supporting housing for vulnerable populations.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Insurance

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signed · Iowa · Senate May 2, 2026

SF 2496: A bill for an act relating to Iowa’s urban renewal law by modifying the division of revenue for certain emergency medical services property tax levies, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

This bill modifies Iowa's urban renewal law to change how property tax revenue is shared for emergency medical services. Specifically, it prevents taxes collected for emergency medical services from being used to pay off municipal loans or fund urban renewal projects. Instead, these taxes must be collected from all property within the taxing district without being diverted to a special fund for city debt or low-income housing assistance. The changes apply to property taxes due in fiscal years starting on or after July 1, 2026, and take effect immediately upon signing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prevents diversion of emergency medical services tax revenue to debt or urban renewal, ensuring funds remain for essential public services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures dedicated funding for emergency medical services by preventing diversion of tax revenues, thereby protecting and strengthening healthcare financial resources.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 1, 2026

SSB 3197: A bill for an act establishing a grant program for a nonprofit organization providing sexual assault forensic examination centers.

This bill creates a grant program within the Iowa Department of Justice to fund a nonprofit organization that operates sexual assault forensic examination centers. To qualify, the selected nonprofit must be independently incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, and focus primarily on serving survivors through medical forensic services and related training. Once contracted, the organization is required to provide care to underserved populations, facilitate training for law enforcement and healthcare professionals, and submit annual reports detailing service statistics and identified barriers. The legislation also allows the funded nonprofit to seek additional funding from other sources while maintaining its primary focus on survivor support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes a grant program to fund sexual assault forensic examination centers, enhancing victim services and law enforcement training within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a grant program to fund sexual assault forensic examination centers, directly increasing healthcare funding and improving patient access to critical medical services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3193: A bill for an act relating to the taxation and regulation of alternative nicotine products and vapor products, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes new definitions for "alternative nicotine products" and "vapor products" to include a wide range of non-tobacco items like e-cigarettes and their components, while excluding those already regulated as drugs or devices. It creates a dedicated state health care trust fund financed by taxes on these products and traditional tobacco, with a specific portion of the revenue allocated to pediatric cancer research and clinical therapy at the University of Iowa. Additionally, the legislation introduces an inventory tax for businesses holding stock of these products when tax rates increase and clarifies the roles of distributors, manufacturers, and wholesalers in the supply chain.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a dedicated health care trust fund financed by taxes, explicitly funding pediatric cancer research and clinical therapy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a health care trust fund financed by taxes on nicotine products, with specific allocations for pediatric cancer research and clinical therapy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SSB 3192: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; prior appropriations; child welfare and juvenile justice decategorization; commitment or hospitalization of certain persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders; child abuse prevention; creation of a comprehensive family support program; and repeal of expenditure projections for state child care assistance and adoption subsidy programs; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 3192 allocates state funding to the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support services for veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, and individuals with behavioral health needs. The bill provides specific amounts for veteran home operations, aging and disability programs, and a comprehensive behavioral health system that includes prevention, treatment, and crisis services. It also funds child welfare initiatives, family support programs, and public health efforts while adjusting financial projections for child care and adoption subsidies. Additionally, the legislation establishes reporting requirements for the Iowa veterans home and directs a portion of sports wagering receipts toward behavioral health care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funding to veterans, health, and disability services, directly advancing the budget appropriations topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly appropriates state funding to support veterans, seniors, and behavioral health services, directly strengthening healthcare access and resources.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates state funding to the Department of Veterans Affairs for veteran services and home operations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Military Families Veteran Housing

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died · Iowa · Senate May 2, 2026

SF 2483: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; prior appropriations; child welfare and juvenile justice decategorization; commitment or hospitalization of certain persons with mental illness or substance abuse disorders; child abuse prevention; creation of a comprehensive family support program; and repeal of expenditure projections for state child care assistance and adoption subsidy programs; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SF 2483 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation provides specific funding for veterans' services, including administration and home ownership assistance, as well as programs for aging, disability, behavioral health, and public health. It also includes money for child welfare initiatives, family support programs, and mental health treatment, while repealing certain expenditure projections for child care and adoption subsidies. The bill establishes reporting requirements for the Iowa Veterans Home and directs portions of the funding toward federal matching programs and specific community capacity building efforts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds to veterans, health, and social services programs, directly advancing the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funds to health departments, behavioral health, and public health programs, explicitly strengthening and funding healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates state funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs for services, including administration and home ownership assistance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Military Families

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passed · Iowa · House Apr 14, 2026

HF 2753: A bill for an act relating to prison infrastructure.

This bill establishes a dedicated fund within the Iowa state treasury to finance the construction and infrastructure improvements of state prisons. It creates two specific accounts within this fund: one for building new prisons or replacing old facilities, and another for programs aimed at reducing inmate recidivism, such as mental health care and job training. The funding for these accounts will come from fines, fees, and forfeited bail collected in criminal cases, with specific portions allocated once existing prison bonds are paid off. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Corrections to submit annual reports on the status of all infrastructure projects and directs the legislature to form a committee to study the need for additional prison capacity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated fund to finance prison construction and recidivism programs, utilizing existing fines and fees to fund essential government infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds prison infrastructure and recidivism reduction programs like job training and mental health care, directly strengthening the correctional system.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill funds mental health care and job training for inmates, directly supporting healthcare services within the correctional system.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

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signed · Iowa · House Jun 2, 2026

HF 2782: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, and community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flow, and nonreversions; report on nonreversion of moneys; more options for maternal support program; reimbursement rates review; mental diseases exclusion waiver; full-time equivalent dashboard; comprehensive family support program; federal community mental health services block grant; behavioral health expenditure report; opioid settlement fund; emergency rules; graduate medical education; and special population nursing facilities; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 2782 is a budget bill that allocates state funds to the departments of Veterans Affairs and Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The legislation provides specific funding for veterans' services, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a home ownership assistance program for military members. It also directs money toward aging and disability support, behavioral health treatment, and maternal care initiatives, while establishing reporting requirements for financial expenditures. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for graduate medical education and updates to various health-related programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds to veterans, health, and human services departments, directly funding essential public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funds to health departments and expands services for veterans, behavioral health, and maternal care.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates state funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs and funds specific veteran programs like the Iowa Veterans Home.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget Mental Health Public Health Substance Abuse Military Families