Healthcare (Women's Health) in Iowa

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2455: A bill for an act relating to abortions after detection of a fetal heartbeat.

HF 2455 repeals Iowa's existing law that prohibited abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected through medical testing. This bill removes the legal restriction on physicians performing abortions following the detection of a fetal heartbeat. The repeal would directly affect medical providers and patients seeking abortion care in Iowa by eliminating this specific prohibition.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 9, 2026

HSB 695: A bill for an act relating to self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

This bill (HSB 695) allows Iowa pharmacists to dispense FDA-approved self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches) to patients aged 18+ without a doctor’s prescription, under a standing order from the Department of Health. Pharmacists must complete training, conduct health screenings (blood pressure, risk assessment), and provide patient education on use, side effects, and follow-up care. It requires pharmacists to limit initial supplies to three months (up to twelve months after), refer patients needing medical care, and maintain records. The bill also mandates insurance coverage for these contraceptives without exclusion, aligning with FDA-approved methods and excluding abortion-inducing drugs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs Women's Health

introduced · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 2415: A bill for an act relating to certain health insurance policies, contracts, and plans and a special enrollment period for pregnant women.

HF 2415 requires health insurance plans sold in Iowa to provide a special enrollment period for pregnant women. It allows women to enroll in coverage after a health care professional certifies pregnancy, up to 16 weeks gestation, without fees or penalties. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month when pregnancy is certified (or the following month if chosen). The bill applies to most individual and group health insurance plans sold in Iowa after January 1, 2027, but excludes dental, vision, short-term, Medicare supplement, and accident-only plans.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SJR 2003: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care.

This bill proposes adding a constitutional amendment to Iowa's Constitution recognizing reproductive freedom as a fundamental right. It would protect services including contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and miscarriage management, stating the state cannot interfere with these private decisions unless a "compelling state interest" is met using the "least restrictive means." The amendment allows state regulation of abortion after fetal viability but prohibits banning abortions medically necessary to protect a patient's life or health. This would apply to all Iowa residents seeking reproductive care and requires voter approval after legislative passage.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SF 2057: A bill for an act relating to the right to contraception.

SF 2057, the "Right to Contraception Act," establishes a statutory right for Iowans to access contraceptives and for healthcare providers to offer them. It prohibits restrictions that single out contraceptive services, providers, or facilities, or that impede access regardless of a person's race, gender identity, income, disability, or location. The bill requires any government limitation on contraception to be justified by "clear and convincing evidence" that it significantly advances safety and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. This directly affects all Iowans seeking reproductive healthcare and healthcare providers delivering contraception services, ensuring equal access to these essential health services.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

died · Iowa · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SF 2150: A bill for an act relating to a pregnant minor’s legal capacity to consent to the provision of certain medical care.

This bill allows pregnant minors in Iowa to consent to prenatal, childbirth, and postnatal medical care if their parent, guardian, or legal custodian isn't reasonably available. It applies directly to minors seeking such care from specific healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and emergency responders. The bill clarifies that providers must still obtain the minor's informed consent for this care, and it does not change existing duties for healthcare professionals. The measure focuses on expanding access to essential pregnancy-related medical services for minors in situations without parental support.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · House Apr 8, 2025

HSB 327: A bill for an act appropriating federal moneys made available from federal block grants and other nonstate sources, allocating portions of federal block grants, and providing procedures if federal moneys or federal block grants are more or less than anticipated.

HSB 327 allocates federal block grant funds for Iowa's health programs, primarily directing them to the Department of Health and Human Services for substance abuse treatment, community mental health services, maternal/child health, and preventive health. The bill specifies exact annual funding amounts (e.g., $14.1 million for substance abuse treatment annually) and mandates that at least 20% of substance abuse funds support prevention programs. It requires strict spending rules, including limits on administrative costs (5% for substance abuse, 5% for mental health, 10% for maternal health) and minimum funding levels for services for pregnant women and children. The bill also prohibits using maternal health funds for indirect costs at the University of Iowa and requires coordination between health agencies to improve care for low-income women and children.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Substance Abuse Women's Health

signed · Iowa · Senate Jun 6, 2025

SF 288: A bill for an act relating to students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth who attend state institutions of higher education governed by the board of regents and community colleges.

SF 288 requires public colleges and universities governed by the Board of Regents and community colleges to provide academic accommodations for students who are pregnant or who recently gave birth. The law specifically allows these students to withdraw from courses without academic penalty if pregnancy or childbirth prevents them from continuing their studies. Institutions must also provide clear information about available support services, including health care and childcare resources. This policy directly affects pregnant and postpartum students enrolled at these specific public higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Higher Education Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SF 192: A bill for an act relating to authorized uses of moneys in the victim compensation fund.

This bill expands Iowa's victim compensation fund to cover emergency contraception and health care treatment for sexual assault victims, including abortion services. It directly affects victims of sexual assault who seek these specific medical treatments. The key change amends the fund's authorized uses to explicitly include reimbursement for emergency contraception, other health care, and abortion as part of victim care. The fund, administered by the Department of Justice, will now cover these costs alongside existing provisions like medical examinations and venereal disease treatment. This is a policy change to broaden access to covered medical services for sexual assault victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime Women's Health

in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SJR 1: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care.

This proposed constitutional amendment would protect reproductive care - including abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and miscarriage management - as a fundamental right in Iowa, prohibiting state interference with these decisions. It allows state regulation only when necessary for a compelling interest using the least restrictive means, and permits abortion restrictions after fetal viability only if medically necessary to protect a patient’s life or health. The amendment must be approved by voters following legislative passage, as it is currently in committee review.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Women's Health

All healthcare bills