Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 9, 2025

HF 836: A bill for an act relating to medical income assistance trust fees.

HF 836 increases the monthly allowance for necessary expenses of medical income assistance trusts in Iowa from $10 to $50 per month without requiring court approval. This change directly affects trust beneficiaries who rely on these funds for medical care costs. The bill amends Iowa Code Section 633C.3 to allow trusts to cover more routine expenses without seeking court permission each time. The key provision simplifies administrative processes for managing trust funds while providing greater flexibility for beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases monthly allowance for medical trust beneficiaries from $10 to $50, simplifying access to funds for healthcare costs without court approval.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1237: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, 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 flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 1237 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides funding for veteran services, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a home ownership assistance program, directly benefiting veterans and their families. The bill also supports aging and disability services, behavioral health programs for addiction prevention and treatment, and various public health initiatives, impacting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those seeking health services. Key provisions include funding for a maternal support program and a hospital directed payment program, with some moneys drawn from specific funds like the sports wagering receipts fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds for FY2025-2026 to veterans, health, and disability services, directly increasing government spending on public programs through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for behavioral health, public health, aging/disability services, and medical assistance programs under HHS appropriations, directly advancing healthcare funding and access.92% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates state funds for Iowa Veterans Home and home ownership assistance program, directly benefiting veterans and families per summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse Veteran Benefits

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passed · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2026

HF 986: A bill for an act relating to matters under the purview of the department of insurance and financial services, the utilities commission, and the department of transportation, including financial literacy and exploitation, tax confidentiality, health insurance rates, health savings accounts, insurer withdrawals, property insurance, service contracts, the Iowa individual health benefit reinsurance association, and the Iowa cemetery Act, motor vehicle financial liability coverage, and including penalties and effective date provisions.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new funds (Financial Literacy, Exploitation Prevention) via reallocated agent fees, advancing fiscal responsibility through targeted budgeting.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Senior Health Insurance Information Program Fund to educate seniors on health insurance options, improving access to coverage understanding.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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died · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 458: A bill for an act establishing a grant program for a nonprofit organization providing sexual assault forensic examination centers.

HF 458 establishes a state grant program within Iowa's Department of Justice to fund nonprofit organizations operating sexual assault forensic examination centers. Eligible nonprofits must be state-incorporated, employ sexual assault nurse examiners, maintain dedicated treatment facilities for survivors, and prioritize sexual assault care as their primary mission. The program requires grantees to provide medical forensic services to all survivors - including adults, children, rural residents, and people with disabilities - and conduct mandatory trainings for medical staff, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the public on sexual assault services and prevention. Grantees must submit annual reports on services delivered but may seek additional funding from other sources, with the contract structured as general reimbursement for operating costs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds nonprofit sexual assault forensic examination centers, enhancing evidence collection for criminal investigations and supporting survivors within the criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds sexual assault forensic examination centers providing medical services to survivors, directly improving access to specialized healthcare services for victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce

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died · Iowa · House Apr 22, 2025

HF 984: A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.

HF 984 modifies services and support for youth, particularly those involved in juvenile delinquency and child in need of assistance proceedings. The bill updates definitions and requirements for psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs), specifying that they provide treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth with serious emotional disturbances, substance use disorders, or both. It also addresses the licensing and certification of these residential facilities and mentions home and community-based services. Additionally, it includes provisions for the administration of juvenile court services and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill requires mental health/substance use treatment for juvenile offenders, promoting rehabilitation over punitive measures in juvenile justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs) to provide mental health and substance use disorder treatment, evaluations, and services, directly advancing behavioral health access for vulnerable youth.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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died · Iowa · House Apr 28, 2025

HF 833: A bill for an act relating to services and support for youth, including treatment, physical assessments, and behavioral health evaluations for youth involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, child in need of assistance, and family in need of assistance proceedings; the licensing and certification of certain residential facilities; the provision of home and community-based services and habilitation services to certain youth by residential programs; administration and supervision of juvenile court services; and the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.

HF 833 updates and expands services and support for youth under 21 involved in involuntary commitment, juvenile delinquency, and child welfare proceedings. The bill specifies that psychiatric medical institutions for children (PMICs) must provide physical assessments and behavioral health evaluations, particularly for youth with serious emotional disturbances or substance use disorders. It also clarifies licensing requirements for these residential facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures certain insurance coverage for youth with biologically based mental illnesses admitted to PMICs and addresses the suspension of Hawki eligibility for inmates of public institutions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands treatment, behavioral health evaluations, and rehabilitation services for youth in juvenile justice system, focusing on rehabilitation over punishment per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates behavioral health evaluations and expands mental health services for youth with serious emotional disturbances/substance use disorders, requiring PMICs to provide these services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 326: A bill for an act establishing a veterans recovery pilot program and fund for the reimbursement of expenses related to providing hyperbaric oxygen treatment to eligible veterans and making appropriations.

HF 326 establishes a pilot program in Iowa to provide hyperbaric oxygen treatment (for diabetic foot ulcers, traumatic brain injury, or PTSD) to eligible veterans through a dedicated reimbursement fund. It directly affects veterans diagnosed with PTSD or traumatic brain injury who require this treatment, as well as authorized treatment facilities. The bill creates a Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse facilities for treatment costs and related travel/living expenses after a treatment plan is approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Facilities must submit proposed treatment plans for approval before providing care, and veterans cannot be charged for services under the program. The program requires biennial reports to the legislature evaluating participation and effectiveness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse hyperbaric oxygen treatment for PTSD/TBI, expanding access to specialized medical care for veterans through dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates Veterans Recovery Fund to reimburse hyperbaric oxygen treatment costs for veterans with PTSD/TBI, directly funding specialized healthcare services for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Veteran Healthcare Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Mar 14, 2025

HF 905: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of the work without worry program under the medical assistance program for employed individuals with disabilities, and including effective date provisions.

HF 905 establishes Iowa's "Work Without Worry" program, providing Medicaid coverage to employed individuals with disabilities aged 18-64 who meet specific criteria. The program removes standard income and asset limits by requiring a monthly premium of 6% of countable income (rounded down to the nearest dollar), with automatic enrollment for Supplemental Security Income recipients. It includes a six-month grace period for temporary job loss or health crises, maintaining coverage during this time with ongoing premium payments. Administered by Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, the program requires federal approval to implement under Medicaid rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage to employed disabled adults (18-64) by removing income/asset limits, adding premium (6% income), and including grace period for job loss/health crises.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SF 463: A bill for an act relating to drug paraphernalia.

SF 463 amends Iowa's drug paraphernalia law to expand exemptions. It explicitly states that hypodermic needles or syringes sold or possessed for any lawful purpose (not just medical use) are no longer considered drug paraphernalia. The bill also adds a new exemption for equipment used to test for fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, or drug adulterants in controlled substances. These changes directly affect individuals using needles lawfully (e.g., for medical treatment or harm reduction programs) and organizations testing for dangerous substances. The bill does not change penalties for other drug paraphernalia uses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands legal exemptions for medical/harm reduction needle use and fentanyl testing, reducing criminalization of health behaviors aligned with criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers for harm reduction programs by exempting syringes from drug paraphernalia laws, enabling safer healthcare access for substance use disorder patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · Iowa · House May 5, 2025

HSB 331: A bill for an act relating to the opioid settlement fund, creating an opioid reserve account, requiring a report to the general assembly, and making appropriations.

HSB 331 establishes an opioid settlement fund and an opioid reserve account to manage money received from national opioid litigation settlements. The bill appropriates specific amounts from this fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal years 2025-2028. These funds are distributed to administrative services organizations (ASOs) to facilitate crisis response, early intervention, treatment, and recovery services for opioid addiction within behavioral health districts. An evaluation panel reviews proposals from ASOs, prioritizing evidence-based practices, and the bill also allocates funds for statewide prevention initiatives and increasing service capacity. Additionally, HHS is required to submit annual reports to the general assembly on fund disbursements and program evaluations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates opioid settlement funds to HHS for opioid treatment programs, directly funding essential public health services per bill's allocation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates opioid settlement funds to HHS for addiction treatment services, directly funding healthcare programs for opioid addiction within behavioral health districts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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