Healthcare (Women's Health) in Iowa

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SF 2150: A bill for an act relating to a pregnant minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of certain medical care.

This bill allows pregnant minors in Iowa to consent to prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal medical care if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian isn't reasonably available. It applies directly to minors seeking such care from specific healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. The bill clarifies that providers must still obtain the minor's informed consent for this care, and it does not change existing duties for healthcare professionals. The measure focuses on expanding access to essential pregnancy-related medical services for minors in situations without parental support.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 666: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa human life protection Act, providing for civil actions and civil penalties, and including effective date provisions.

HF 666 defines "elective abortion" as any act intending to terminate a pregnancy with knowledge it will likely cause the death of an unborn child, excluding emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and certain medical treatments like miscarriage care. It creates civil penalties for abortion providers, "abortion funds" that help pay for abortions, and anyone who "aids or abets" abortions, including civil lawsuits under federal RICO laws for abortion pill distribution. The bill explicitly excludes emergency contraception (like Plan B), medical treatments for ectopic pregnancy, and miscarriage care from its restrictions. It applies to individuals and entities facilitating abortions, with penalties enforced through civil actions rather than criminal prosecution.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 3, 2025

HF 775: A bill for an act relating to medication abortions including required informed consent and the dispensing of abortion-inducing drugs to patients within the state.

HF 775 requires medical facilities in Iowa performing medication abortions to post visible signs informing patients that "recent developing research" suggests medication abortions may sometimes be reversed if a patient changes their mind. It mandates physicians to obtain written patient certification confirming they’ve been informed about medication abortion risks, the potential for reversal (with time sensitivity), and resources for reversal, both before the procedure and in written discharge instructions. The bill also directs Iowa’s health department to create online materials about reversal options and prohibits dispensing mifepristone outside healthcare settings. This bill directly affects patients seeking medication abortions and healthcare providers in Iowa, focusing on information requirements rather than altering abortion access.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 8, 2025

HSB 327: A bill for an act appropriating federal moneys made available from federal block grants and other nonstate sources, allocating portions of federal block grants, and providing procedures if federal moneys or federal block grants are more or less than anticipated.

HSB 327 allocates federal block grant funds for Iowa's health programs, primarily directing them to the Department of Health and Human Services for substance abuse treatment, community mental health services, maternal/child health, and preventive health. The bill specifies exact annual funding amounts (e.g., $14.1 million for substance abuse treatment annually) and mandates that at least 20% of substance abuse funds support prevention programs. It requires strict spending rules, including limits on administrative costs (5% for substance abuse, 5% for mental health, 10% for maternal health) and minimum funding levels for services for pregnant women and children. The bill also prohibits using maternal health funds for indirect costs at the University of Iowa and requires coordination between health agencies to improve care for low-income women and children.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Substance Abuse Women's Health

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SF 288: A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.

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.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SF 192: A bill for an act relating to authorized uses of moneys in the victim compensation fund.

This bill expands Iowa's victim compensation fund to cover emergency contraception and health care treatment for sexual assault victims, including abortion services. It directly affects victims of sexual assault who seek these specific medical treatments. The key change amends the fund's authorized uses to explicitly include reimbursement for emergency contraception, other health care, and abortion as part of victim care. The fund, administered by the Department of Justice, will now cover these costs alongside existing provisions like medical examinations and venereal disease treatment. This is a policy change to broaden access to covered medical services for sexual assault victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SJR 1: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care.

This proposed constitutional amendment would protect reproductive care - including abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and miscarriage management - as a fundamental right in Iowa, prohibiting state interference with these decisions. It allows state regulation only when necessary for a compelling interest using the least restrictive means, and permits abortion restrictions after fetal viability only if medically necessary to protect a patient’s life or health. The amendment must be approved by voters following legislative passage, as it is currently in committee review.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 129: A bill for an act relating to the submission and posting of certain hospital policies.

SF 129 requires Iowa hospitals to submit specific policies to the state department by September 1, 2025. Hospitals must submit policies on nondiscrimination, reproductive health care (including abortion, miscarriage care, and family planning), and, if they provide labor services, policies on recommended safety practices for childbirth. The state department must post all submitted policies online with a public comparison tool, and hospitals must also display these policies on their own websites without login requirements. Hospitals must submit updated policies within 30 days if they make changes to any required policy.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 132: A bill for an act relating to Medicaid coverage of maternity care including doula care.

This bill requires Iowa's Medicaid program to cover doula care as part of maternity services for eligible recipients. It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish rules for doula certification, enrollment as providers, and fair reimbursement rates that support a livable income for doulas. The policy aims to improve birth outcomes, reduce stillbirths and infant deaths, and lower maternal mortality by expanding access to continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy and childbirth. The bill applies specifically to Medicaid-covered maternity care under both fee-for-service and managed care models.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Women's Health Professional Licensing

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 606: A bill for an act relating to certain health insurance policies, contracts, and plans and a special enrollment period for pregnant women.

HF 606 requires health insurance plans (including individual/group accident/sickness, hospital/medical, HMOs, and public employee plans) to provide a special enrollment period for pregnant women. This allows pregnant women to enroll in coverage at any time after a healthcare professional certifies their pregnancy, without fees or penalties. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month when pregnancy is certified (or the next month if chosen by the woman). The bill applies to most health insurance policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes accident-only, Medicare supplement, dental, vision, and similar coverage types.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

All healthcare bills