Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 163: A bill for an act relating to the definition of medical cannabidiol.

This bill (SF 163) updates Iowa's legal definition of "medical cannabidiol" to explicitly include specific product forms: oral (tablets, capsules, liquids, tinctures, sublingual), topical (gels, creams, lotions, patches), and limited inhalable forms (nebulizable, vaporizable dried cannabis). It directly affects patients using medical cannabis products and healthcare providers dispensing them by clarifying which cannabis-based products qualify under the state's medical program. The key change replaces the previous definition with a detailed list of permitted forms, including whole plant extracts and resins. This provides legal clarity for the medical cannabis program without altering eligibility or access rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies medical cannabis product definitions, improving patient access to approved treatments under Iowa's healthcare program by explicitly including qualifying forms.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 20, 2025

SF 351: A bill for an act relating to mental health support for corrections officers, and making appropriations.

This bill requires Iowa's Department of Corrections to provide mental health support for state corrections officers. It mandates hiring mental health liaisons for each correctional facility (or covering multiple facilities), implementing an annual 5-10 question mental health screening survey to identify severe conditions like schizophrenia or depression, and establishing outreach teams to refer officers needing care to local providers. The bill also requires the department to provide one annual, confidential, employer-funded counseling session per officer and appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 to cover liaison salaries, screening technology, and outreach team costs. These changes aim to improve officer mental health, reduce turnover, and support workplace well-being.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates appropriations for mental health support services, directly increasing state spending on public safety personnel through new funding allocations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates mental health support for corrections officers, strengthening corrections system by addressing staff well-being, a direct component of criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health screenings, liaisons, and outreach for corrections officers, directly expanding access to mental healthcare services within correctional facilities.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates mental health screenings, liaisons, and outreach for corrections officers, directly enhancing workplace safety and worker well-being per Labor & Employment standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Public Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HSB 151: A bill for an act relating to nonopioid drugs on the medical assistance preferred drug list, and health carriers’ development of a pain management access plan.

This bill requires Medicaid plans and health carriers to treat nonopioid pain medications approved by the FDA equally with opioid drugs in coverage decisions. Specifically, nonopioid drugs cannot be labeled as "nonpreferred" if opioids are preferred, and must face no stricter coverage requirements (like prior authorization) than opioids. Health carriers must also create and submit "pain management access plans" covering at least two non-opioid prescription medications and three non-drug pain treatments (e.g., physical therapy), ensuring these options aren’t blocked by excessive barriers. The rules apply immediately upon FDA approval of a nonopioid drug, bypassing standard committee review for inclusion on preferred drug lists. This directly affects Medicaid managed care organizations and health insurance providers in Iowa.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal coverage for nonopioid pain meds vs opioids, requires pain management plans with non-drug options, expanding patient access to safer alternatives.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 560: A bill for an act relating to the rights of parents, guardians, and minors including those relating to gender transition procedure-related activities for minors, and providing effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 560 repeals a provision (Section 147.164) that previously prohibited gender transition-related medical care for minors in Iowa. It amends parental rights law to explicitly state that parents or guardians have the fundamental right to make decisions about their minor child's medical care, including gender transition-related activities, subject to strict judicial review. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and applies retroactively to March 22, 2023. This change directly affects parents/guardians making healthcare decisions for minors and minors seeking gender transition care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals ban on gender transition medical care for minors, expanding access to healthcare service95% confidence

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died · Iowa · House Feb 24, 2025

HF 5: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for covered individuals for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder and including applicability provisions.

This bill (HF 5) requires health insurance plans in Iowa to cover autism spectrum disorder treatment without age limits or annual benefit caps. It eliminates the previous $36,000 yearly maximum for state employee plans (previously limited to those under 21) and removes the 19-year age restriction for applied behavior analysis coverage. Key provisions mandate minimum coverage of 30 inpatient days and 52 annual outpatient visits, prohibit lifetime limits on autism treatment, and require coverage coordination with other autism-related benefits. The bill applies to group health plans delivered or renewed in Iowa on or after January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves age limits and annual caps on autism treatment coverage, mandates minimum visits/days, and prohibits lifetime limits - expanding essential healthcare access for autism spectrum disorder.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 25, 2025

SF 417: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage and Medicaid coverage for annual lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals.

SF 417 requires both Medicaid and most private health insurance plans to cover annual low-dose CT lung cancer screenings for at-risk individuals aged 50 or older. It defines "at-risk" as people with a history of regular smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, a family member diagnosed with lung cancer, or occupational exposure to certain carcinogens like asbestos or radon. The bill mandates that insurers cannot impose copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for these screenings and requires Medicaid to provide coverage once a federal waiver is approved. This applies to most health insurance plans but excludes specialized coverages like accident-only or dental insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for lung cancer screenings without cost-sharing for at-risk groups, expanding access to preventative care and aligning with healthcare coverage protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 25, 2025

HF 590: A bill for an act relating to manufacturers and distributors of 340B drugs.

This Iowa bill (HF 590) prohibits drug manufacturers and distributors from interfering with safety-net hospitals, clinics, and other covered entities acquiring or receiving 340B discounted drugs. It specifically bans manufacturers or distributors from denying, restricting, or hindering these transactions - except when federal health officials prohibit them. The law defines key terms like "340B drug," "distributor," and "manufacturer" based on federal Social Security Act standards. It directly affects drug companies and wholesalers operating in Iowa by requiring compliance with federal 340B program rules. The bill was introduced in February 2025 and remains pending.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits drug manufacturers from hindering safety-net providers' access to 340B discounted drugs, directly improving patient affordability and access to essential medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 17, 2026

HF 409: A bill for an act relating to the licensing of, and granting of clinical privileges to, certain health care professionals.

HF 409 prohibits hospitals and health care licensing boards in Iowa from asking applicants about past mental illness, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health diagnoses on clinical privilege or license applications. It allows questions only about current, untreated conditions that could impair safe, professional practice. The bill directly affects health care professionals applying for hospital clinical privileges or state licenses. It requires the state department to create rules enforcing these changes, focusing on current safety concerns rather than historical health conditions. The bill is currently under review by the House Health and Human Services subcommittee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits licensing barriers for healthcare professionals with past mental health conditions, protecting access to practice and advancing mental health parity in healthcare workforce regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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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 ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health insurers to provide special enrollment for pregnant women without fees, expanding coverage access and protecting patient rights during pregnancy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 605: A bill for an act relating to the prescribing and dispensing of self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

HF 605 allows pharmacists in Iowa to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches approved by the FDA) without a new prescription, using a standing order from the health department. Pharmacists must complete specific training, conduct a patient risk assessment, provide counseling on use/side effects, and refer patients if unsafe, while dispensing up to a 12-month supply at once. The bill also requires health insurance plans to cover these contraceptives without excluding them, similar to other outpatient prescription drugs. It explicitly excludes abortion-inducing drugs and mandates patient education on backup contraception and STI prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to contraceptives via pharmacists, mandates insurance coverage, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Women's Health

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