Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SSB 1060: A bill for an act relating to cost-sharing requirements for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations.

This Iowa bill (SSB 1060) prohibits health insurance plans from charging patients out-of-pocket costs (like copays or deductibles) for required supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations. It directly affects Iowa residents with health insurance who need these specific follow-up or diagnostic breast exams. The bill defines "cost-sharing" broadly and requires insurers to cover these exams without additional patient payments, with a limited exception for high-deductible health plans (HDHPs): the no-cost rule applies only after the patient meets their annual deductible, except for preventive care. The law takes effect for new or renewed insurance policies in Iowa starting January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits cost-sharing for breast exams, removing financial barriers to essential diagnostic care and improving patient access to medical services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 10, 2025

HSB 85: A bill for an act relating to testimony at involuntary commitment hearings by physician assistants and advanced registered nurse practitioners.

This bill allows physician assistants (PAs) and advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) to testify at Iowa's involuntary commitment hearings for mental health or substance abuse cases, on behalf of licensed physicians or mental health professionals who examined the person. It requires courts to review specific sworn statements confirming the PA/ARNP witnessed the exam, reviewed the written report, and the original examiner cannot attend. The law expands who can provide testimony at these hearings, directly affecting PAs, ARNPs, and the court process for commitment cases. It does not change who must be examined but adds a new pathway for testimony when the primary examiner is unavailable.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands testimony roles for PAs/ARNPs in mental health commitment hearings, improving access to care by enabling timely proceedings when primary examiners are unavailable.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Substance Abuse

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SF 216: A bill for an act relating to statewide dementia care coordination, and making an appropriation.

SF 216 appropriates $750,000 from Iowa's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to improve dementia care coordination. The funds will hire a statewide dementia care coordinator within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and provide grants to each of Iowa's area agencies on aging to employ a dementia care specialist at each location. This establishes a dedicated state-level role and local support staff to better coordinate care for Iowans living with dementia. The bill directly affects dementia patients, their families, and local aging services providers through enhanced coordination resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $750,000 from general fund for dementia care coordination, increasing state funding for health services per appropriations subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $750,000 to fund dementia care coordination via HHS and area agencies on aging, directly expanding healthcare services for dementia patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 11, 2025

SF 223: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to the department of health and human services for refugee resettlement assistance.

SF 223 appropriates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding will be distributed proportionally to nonprofit resettlement agencies that partner with the U.S. Department of State to provide assistance to refugees in Iowa. HHS must distribute the funds within seven days of the bill's enactment to cover resettlement expenses like housing and support services. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on funding allocation without altering refugee policies or eligibility.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.5M from general fund for refugee resettlement services, increasing public funding for essential programs under health and human services appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds resettlement agencies providing health-related services to refugees, advancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill allocates $2.5M to HHS for refugee resettlement services (housing/support), directly funding immigrant integration services per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SF 240: A bill for an act relating to the inspection of compounding pharmacies, and making penalties applicable.

This bill requires Iowa pharmacy inspectors to give nonsterile compounding pharmacies three opportunities to fix safety violations found during inspections. First, the pharmacist in charge must be notified of the issue; if uncorrected within 30-90 days, they receive instruction; if still uncorrected after another 30-90 days, mandatory education is mandated. If the pharmacy fails to correct the violation after these steps, the state board may impose a single $500 fine (adjusted for inflation annually). The bill directly affects all Iowa pharmacies compounding nonsterile medications, focusing on ensuring compliance with national pharmacy safety standards (USP General Chapter 795).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires pharmacy safety corrections to protect patient health through structured inspection process, aligning with healthcare safety protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2025

HF 355: A bill for an act relating to the establishment of an easy enrollment health care coverage program utilizing the state income tax form.

HF 355 establishes a program using Iowa's state income tax form to help uninsured residents find health coverage. Starting in 2025, taxpayers filing returns will see new questions about health coverage for themselves, spouses, dependents, and other household members, along with checkboxes to authorize sharing that information with health agencies. If a taxpayer indicates they lack coverage and authorizes sharing, the tax department forwards their details to the health insurance marketplace and health department to assess eligibility for Medicaid or other programs. This voluntary process aims to simplify enrollment in existing coverage options without penalties for non-participation, directly affecting Iowa residents filing state taxes who may qualify for health benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes tax form enrollment to connect uninsured residents with coverage, expanding access per bill's explicit purpose of facilitating health insurance marketplace enrollment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 12: A bill for an act relating to medical residency positions and audition clinicals for medical students and medical residency position applicants meeting certain criteria.

This bill requires the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) to offer interviews for medical residency positions in specific specialties (like obstetrics, psychiatry, surgery, and primary care) to applicants who are Iowa residents, earned an undergraduate degree from an Iowa college, or graduated from an Iowa medical school. It also mandates that UIHC provide Iowa medical students with the chance to complete clinical "audition" experiences in their desired specialty before applying. UIHC must annually report to the governor and legislature by January 15th, detailing participation in interviews and audition clinicals, acceptance rates, and how many residency spots were filled by eligible applicants. The law aims to prioritize Iowa-trained medical professionals for local residency programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens medical workforce pipeline by prioritizing Iowa residents/students for residencies/auditions, improving local healthcare access and provider availability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 209: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for prescription insulin drugs.

SF 209 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription (for up to a 31-day supply). It directly affects people with diabetes who have insurance covering insulin, limiting their cost-sharing for four types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin. The bill sets this $25 maximum for plans issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, while excluding certain insurance types like Medicare supplements. Insurers may lower costs below $25 but cannot exceed this cap for covered insulin drugs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps insulin out-of-pocket costs at $25, reducing financial barriers for diabetic patients and improving access to essential medication.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 408: A bill for an act providing an appropriation to eliminate the current waiting lists for the Medicaid home and community-based services waivers.

HF 408 appropriates state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to eliminate all waiting lists for Iowa's Medicaid home and community-based services waivers as of June 30, 2025. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to use funds calculated by a Medicaid forecasting group (including staff from health, management, and legislative services agencies) to remove individuals from waiting lists. This funding specifically targets waiver programs that allow Medicaid recipients to receive care at home or in community settings instead of institutions. The amount spent and number of people served will be reported in the first fiscal year 2025-2026 forecasting report.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds to eliminate Medicaid waiver waiting lists, directly funding essential public health services within state budget allocation.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates state funds to eliminate Medicaid home and community-based services waiting lists, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage and improving patient access to services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 13, 2025

HF 375: A bill for an act establishing a state minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals.

HF 375 proposes setting Iowa's minimum hourly wage for direct care professionals at $20.00 starting July 1, 2025, with a $19.10 minimum for those with less than 90 days of employment. It directly affects employers in nursing facilities, home care, and child care centers who hire workers providing personal care, health services, or support for people with illnesses or disabilities. The bill defines "direct care professionals" to include home health aides, certified nurse aides, and similar roles. This state wage requirement will apply instead of the federal minimum wage if it is lower. The bill is currently in the Labor and Workforce committee after introduction on February 13, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes $20/hr minimum wage for direct care workers (home health aides, nurse aides) providing health services, directly supporting healthcare workforce stability and quality of care in facilities serving patients.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes $20/hr minimum wage for direct care workers, directly increasing wages and protecting vulnerable workforce in nursing/home care sectors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care Labor Standards Minimum Wage

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