This bill amends Iowa law to expand the definition of "health care provider" to include individuals working, volunteering, or in training at hospitals or rural emergency hospitals. It makes it a more serious offense to assault such providers in hospitals, ambulances, or during patient transport, presuming the attacker knew the victim was a health care worker. Penalties range from a serious misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail and $2,560 fine) to a class D felony (up to 5 years in jail and $10,245 fine). The bill directly affects healthcare workers in these settings by increasing legal consequences for assaults against them.
SF 197 requires Iowa health insurance plans to cover prescription drugs for advanced (stage 4) cancer and related symptoms without forcing patients to try cheaper alternatives first. It applies to most health insurance policies (like employer plans and HMOs) starting January 1, 2026, but excludes accident-only, Medicare supplement, and workers' compensation plans. Coverage must be provided for FDA-approved drugs that are medically necessary for metastatic cancer and supported by scientific evidence. This directly affects insurers selling plans in Iowa and benefits patients with advanced cancer needing these specific treatments.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
