A bill for an act relating to damage awards against health care providers, and including applicability provisions.

HF 2040 removes limits on compensation for patients suing healthcare providers in Iowa. It eliminates the $250,000 cap on noneconomic damages (like pain and suffering) for most cases, and removes the exception that previously allowed up to $1 million or $2 million for severe injuries like disfigurement or death. The bill also removes the exclusion of "loss of dependent care" (such as child care costs after a parent's death or injury) from noneconomic damages. Additionally, it strikes provisions requiring that punitive damages be paid to claimants in healthcare cases or to a state trust fund. The law applies to cases filed on or after July 1, 2026.