Healthcare

died · Iowa · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SF 2367: A bill for an act relating to health-related matters, including health-related professions, certificates of need, and nutrition, and including applicability provisions.

SF 2367 requires physicians in specific specialties (like family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, and others) to complete one hour of nutrition and metabolic health continuing education every four years to renew their licenses. It updates Iowa's certificate of need rules for hospitals and health facilities, adding new categories requiring approval (such as behavioral health outpatient services, organ transplants, and equipment over $1.5 million) while modifying bed capacity and equipment acquisition requirements. The bill also establishes Iowa's "Summer EBT Program" to provide nutrition assistance to children during summer months, aligning with federal guidelines for healthy food eligibility under SNAP. These changes directly affect licensed healthcare providers, hospitals, and families participating in nutrition assistance programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires physician nutrition education and expands certificate of need for behavioral health services, strengthening healthcare standards and access to covered services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HSB 721: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of a state-based exchange, creation of a state-based exchange fund, state innovation waivers, and including effective date provisions.

This bill establishes a state-based health insurance exchange in Iowa, creating a dedicated fund to support it. The insurance commissioner must apply for a federal waiver by December 2026 to operate the exchange, which would allow Iowa to manage health insurance marketplaces under federal law. The bill creates a state fund in the treasury using state appropriations, federal funds, user fees, and grants, and requires strict confidentiality for all exchange-related information, barring public disclosure except under specific exceptions. It directly affects Iowa residents seeking health insurance through the state exchange and the insurance division as the program administrator.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund via appropriations, directing budget resources to health insurance exchange establishment.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-based health insurance exchange with dedicated fund, aiming to expand coverage options under federal law via waiver application, directly advancing healthcare access and insurance market management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2211: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa medical freedom Act, including limitations on requiring medical interventions by businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions, modifying state authority during public health disasters, and including effective date provisions.

This bill prohibits Iowa businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring medical interventions (like vaccines or treatments) as a condition for services, employment, or access to facilities. It specifically bans discrimination against individuals based on medical intervention status, including in hiring, pay, or admission. Limited exceptions apply only for employment requiring travel to foreign countries that mandate specific medical interventions, requiring written contracts or 14 days' advance notice. The law directly affects all public-facing institutions and employers in Iowa, including schools, hospitals, and government services.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits mandatory medical interventions (e.g., vaccines) in businesses/schools, restricting healthcare mandates rather than advancing coverage or funding.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits requiring medical interventions (e.g., vaccines) for employment, banning discrimination in hiring/pay based on medical status, directly protecting workers' rights in employment conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 16, 2026

SF 2327: A bill for an act relating to the requirements for authorized electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, and providing penalties.

This bill establishes rules for residents or their representatives to use video monitoring devices in nursing facility rooms. It requires written consent from the resident (or their representative if the resident lacks capacity) before placing any device, and mandates that facilities obtain written consent from all roommates in shared rooms before monitoring begins. If a roommate refuses consent, the facility must try to move the resident to a private room (at the resident's cost) or another shared room without requiring monitoring. The law also specifies standard conditions for monitoring and allows residents to withdraw consent anytime. It directly affects nursing home residents, their representatives, and facilities managing resident rooms.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent for electronic monitoring in nursing facilities, protecting resident autonomy and rights in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SF 2345: A bill for an act relating to notice of immunization exemptions and providing civil penalties.

SF 2345 requires local health departments, schools, childcare centers, and colleges to include clear information about immunization exemption rules in all public communications about vaccines. It directly affects parents, guardians, and institutions like elementary/secondary schools, childcare facilities, and higher education institutions. The bill mandates this information be provided in written materials, websites, and registration documents, with a $1,000 civil penalty for each failure to comply. Penalties collected go to the state general fund, but the law does not change exemption eligibility or vaccine requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates clear immunization exemption notices in public communications, strengthening public health program compliance and transparency for disease prevention.90% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 31, 2026

HF 2631: A bill for an act relating to a family leave and medical leave insurance program that provides for paid, job-protected leave for certain family leave and medical leave reasons for eligible employees of specified employers.

HF 2631 establishes Iowa's Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program, creating a paid, job-protected leave system for eligible employees. It directly affects workers at covered employers (private businesses with 10+ employees year-round or public employers) who need leave for bonding with a newborn/adopted child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, taking medical leave for their own serious health issue, or addressing qualifying circumstances as a crime victim (e.g., seeking medical care, legal assistance, or safety measures). The program is funded through employee premiums, with benefits calculated based on spendable weekly earnings, and is administered by the Department of Workforce Development. This legislation expands on existing federal protections by adding specific coverage for crime victim-related leave and standardizing definitions for eligibility and benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides paid medical leave for serious health conditions, enabling workers to access healthcare without financial penalty during treatment or caregiving.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes paid, job-protected leave insurance program expanding worker benefits and protecting employment during family/medical leave, directly strengthening labor protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave Workforce Development

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SF 2315: A bill for an act relating to eligibility for the Medicaid for employed persons with disabilities program.

This bill raises the income limit for Iowa's Medicaid for Employed Persons with Disabilities (MEPD) program from 250% to 300% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects employed Iowans with disabilities whose household income falls within this new range, allowing them to qualify for Medicaid coverage. Key provisions include disregarding pension and retirement account assets when determining eligibility, requiring the state to allow electronic premium payments via its website, and clarifying that premium payments do not automatically guarantee program eligibility. The changes align with federal Medicaid rules to expand access for working individuals with disabilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRaises Medicaid eligibility income limit to 300% FPL for employed disabled Iowans, expanding health coverage access and disregarding pension assets for qualification.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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died · Iowa · House Mar 9, 2026

HF 2269: A bill for an act relating to the use of the titles physician assistant and physician associate.

This bill changes the official title from "physician assistant" to "physician associate" in all Iowa laws, regulations, and government documents, effective immediately. It ensures that licensed professionals using the new title retain all existing rights, responsibilities, and scope of practice, and prohibits discrimination or altered relationships with employers, healthcare facilities, or insurers due to the title change. During a transition period, individuals may use either "physician assistant," "physician associate," or "P.A." until the new title becomes common. All state agencies must update forms, guidance, and documents to reflect the change by January 1, 2027, without altering current practice standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures physician associates retain full scope of practice and prevents discrimination, protecting healthcare access and professional rights without restricting services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2185: A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

SF 2185 requires hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and birth centers in Iowa to report "serious reportable events" (like severe injuries or lost body parts) to the Department of Inspections within 15 working days. Facilities must also conduct root cause analyses and implement corrective action plans for these events, filing reports confidentially via an electronic system. The bill mandates the Department to analyze reports to identify systemic failures and improve healthcare quality, while prohibiting the system from punishing individual errors. It protects confidentiality of patient and staff information and requires annual public reports on trends and recommendations. This applies directly to healthcare facilities providing inpatient or surgical care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting of serious medical incidents and root cause analyses to improve healthcare quality and prevent patient harm, aligning with patient safety protections.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 695: A bill for an act relating to self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

This bill (HSB 695) allows Iowa pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches) to patients aged 18+ without a doctor’s prescription, under a standing order from the Department of Health. Pharmacists must complete training, conduct health screenings (blood pressure, risk assessment), and provide patient education on use, side effects, and follow-up care. It requires pharmacists to limit initial supplies to three months (up to twelve months after), refer patients needing medical care, and maintain records. The bill also mandates insurance coverage for these contraceptives without exclusion, aligning with FDA-approved methods and excluding abortion-inducing drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to reproductive healthcare by enabling pharmacists to dispense contraceptives without prescriptions, improving patient access to essential health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Women's Health

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