A bill for an act removing birth centers from the meaning of institutional health facility.

HF 277 removes birth centers from the definition of "institutional health facility" in Iowa law. This change eliminates the requirement for birth centers to obtain a Certificate of Need (CON) from the state before expanding services, relocating, or adding new offerings. The bill updates definitions in sections 10A.711, 135.131, and 135P.1 of the Iowa Code to clarify that birth centers are separate from hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. As a result, birth center providers would no longer face the CON approval process for operational changes. The bill directly affects birth center operators and their ability to expand services without state review.