Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 125: A bill for an act relating to regulation of psychologists employed by a state institution, agency, or research facility.

This bill removes an exemption that previously allowed psychologists working for state institutions, agencies, or research facilities to be excluded from Iowa's standard psychology regulations. It requires these psychologists to comply with the same licensing and practice rules as other psychologists under Chapter 154B of the Iowa Code. The change directly affects psychologists employed by state entities, bringing their practice under the same regulatory framework as private-sector psychologists. The bill does not alter existing requirements for psychologists in private practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires state-employed psychologists to comply with same licensing rules as private sector, ensuring consistent patient safety standards in mental health services.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 30, 2025

SF 133: A bill for an act relating to the provision of period products.

SF 133 requires free period products (tampons and pads) to be available in restrooms at no cost for specific state facilities. It applies to state buildings (excluding governor's office, legislature, and courts), health care institutions under the Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa School for the Deaf, public and nonpublic schools, and correctional facilities. Schools will receive state reimbursement for costs, and all covered entities must provide products appropriate to health needs in designated locations. The bill defines "period products" as tampons and pads for menstrual cycle use. This policy change directly affects students, staff, patients, residents, and the public in these facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires free period products in schools with state reimbursement, supporting student access and attendance - directly enhancing educational access for students in K-12 settings.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free period products in healthcare facilities under HHS, improving access to essential health supplies for patients and staff.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 30, 2025

HF 183: A bill for an act relating to the ordering, administering, and dispensing of point-of-care HIV-related tests and prophylaxis drugs by a pharmacist.

This bill allows Iowa pharmacists to order, administer, and dispense point-of-care HIV tests and HIV preventive drugs (pre-exposure or post-exposure prophylaxis) under statewide protocols developed with the health department. It directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking rapid HIV testing or prevention services, and health insurance plans. The key mechanism requires health insurance plans to cover these pharmacist-provided services, even if their standard policies exclude pharmacists, as long as the services follow the approved protocols. The bill defines key terms like "HIV-related test" and "health benefit plan" to clarify implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pharmacist-administered HIV testing/prophylaxis, expanding access to prevention services and strengthening coverage under healthcare policies.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SF 71: A bill for an act relating to Medicare supplement policies and an annual open enrollment period.

SF 71 creates an annual 30-day open enrollment period for Iowa Medicare supplement policies, starting January 1, 2026, beginning on the applicant's birthday. It directly affects Iowans aged 65+ seeking individual policies, or those under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability, end-stage renal disease, or environmental hazard exposure. During this period, insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more based on health status, or exclude preexisting conditions. Applicants may switch to policies with the same or fewer benefits than their current coverage. The bill requires insurers to provide clear notice of this enrollment period to applicants.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from denying coverage, charging more for health status, or excluding preexisting conditions during open enrollment, expanding access to Medicare supplement insurance for seniors/disabled populations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 188: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for contraceptive devices, drugs, and services.

SF 188 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover contraceptive drugs, devices, and services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles), provided the plan covers other prescription drugs or services. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing benefits, or penalizing providers for offering contraceptive care, and defines "medical need" to allow doctors to recommend specific contraceptives without extra costs. The law applies to individual and group health plans (including those for public employees) issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes dental, vision, and short-term insurance. Insurers must clearly disclose contraceptive coverage details on their websites and via mail upon request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost contraceptive coverage in health insurance, expanding access and protecting patient rights under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 210: A bill for an act relating to the licensing, regulation, and discipline of licensed health professionals.

This Iowa bill (SF 210) requires health licensing boards to check national databases (including child abuse and sex offender registries) before issuing licenses, denying licenses if matches are found. It mandates creation of a public online database tracking disciplinary actions, especially for sexual misconduct, substance use, or medical malpractice. The bill requires immediate license suspension for sexual misconduct or assault allegations and a 10-year waiting period plus treatment for those with founded cases. It directly affects all health professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) seeking or holding licenses in Iowa by tightening background checks, reporting duties, and disciplinary timelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens healthcare professional oversight via mandatory background checks, public disciplinary database, and immediate suspension for misconduct, protecting patient safety and professional standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 223: A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in public schools.

HF 223 requires Iowa public schools and accredited nonpublic schools to publish mental health resources provided by "your life Iowa" on their websites or link to those resources. It also mandates that schools partner with enrolled students to develop additional methods for increasing awareness of mental health resources and information. This applies to all school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa. The bill creates specific, concrete requirements for resource visibility and student involvement without altering the content of mental health services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide mental health resources and increase awareness, directly enhancing student well-being and support systems in K-12 education, aligning with educational access and student program advancement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to publish mental health resources and partner with students for awareness, directly advancing student mental health services as specified in the bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 213: A bill for an act relating to pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, and prescription drug benefits, and including applicability provisions.

HF 213 limits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Iowa by requiring that payments made by health plan members for prescriptions count toward their deductible. It prohibits PBMs from charging different fees based on which pharmacy a member uses or blocking members from filling prescriptions at any in-state pharmacy that accepts their plan’s terms. The bill also bans PBMs from forcing members to use mail-order pharmacies exclusively for prescription drugs. These changes directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and health plan members in Iowa, applying to PBMs managing prescription drug benefits in the state after the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents PBMs from restricting pharmacy choice or charging variable fees, requiring payments count toward deductibles - improving patient access to prescriptions and protecting rights within insurance coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 225: A bill for an act relating to the personal needs allowance under the medical assistance program.

HF 225 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for residents in specific Iowa facilities from $50 to $75. It directly affects individuals living in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for intellectual disabilities or mental illness, or psychiatric medical institutions for children under Iowa's medical assistance program. The bill requires the state to supplement residents with income below $75 to reach the $75 allowance and mandates annual adjustments tied to federal cost-of-living increases for Social Security and SSI benefits, capping the allowance at $200 per month. This change aims to better cover personal expenses not covered by medical assistance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases personal needs allowance in medical assistance program from $50 to $75, strengthening financial support for residents in healthcare facilities and advancing access to care under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 226: A bill for an act appropriating moneys for oncology research at the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics.

HF 226 appropriates $15 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support oncology research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The funds, administered by the state board of regents, are designated exclusively for cancer research initiatives at these facilities. This bill directly provides dedicated state funding to advance cancer research at the University of Iowa's medical institutions during the specified fiscal period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15M from general fund for cancer research at public university hospital, directly funding a public health initiative.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $15M for cancer research at University of Iowa Hospitals, directly funding healthcare research initiatives to advance cancer treatment capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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