HF 970 allocates $1 million for Iowa's Double Up Food Bucks program, which helps SNAP recipients buy fresh produce at farmers markets and grocery stores. It requires grant recipients to match funds dollar-for-dollar and ensures the funds remain available beyond the fiscal year. The bill also seeks federal approval to restrict SNAP-eligible foods to healthy items like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. This food eligibility change would take effect only after the USDA approves the modification. The program funding becomes effective upon federal approval of the food rules.
HF 972, now law after Governor's signature on May 28, 2025, establishes a new funding model for Iowa's rural healthcare systems while eliminating several existing health care programs. It removes specific award, grant, residency, and fellowship programs, and creates a new incentive program to attract healthcare professionals to underserved areas. The bill also modifies Medicaid funding for graduate medical education, updates the Health Facilities Council, and addresses the Iowa Health Information Network, with all changes including necessary funding appropriations. These changes directly affect rural health providers, medical training programs, and state health agencies managing these systems.
SF 383 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose drug pricing details and standardized fee structures to pharmacies and insurers. It limits certain PBM practices that affect prescription drug costs and establishes transparency rules for pharmacy services administrative organizations. The law directly affects PBMs, pharmacies, and insurance companies managing prescription drug benefits. Signed into law by the Governor on June 6, 2025, it aims to increase transparency in drug pricing and pharmacy billing.
This bill requires various educational institutions, child care providers, and the state's health department to include information about immunization exemptions when communicating about immunization requirements. This directly affects parents, legal guardians, and students who receive these communications.
Specifically, elementary and secondary schools, licensed child care centers, and all other child care facilities must include exemption details in communications to parents and on their websites or registration materials. Community colleges, state universities, and private higher education institutions are also required to adopt policies ensuring students receive exemption information when notified about immunization requirements. Additionally, the state's health department must include exemption information in any public communication following an immunization recommendation.
HF 948 establishes work requirements for Iowa's Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP), requiring most participants to work at least 80 hours monthly to maintain benefits, with exemptions for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and others. It creates an Information Technology Fund to modernize state health systems, transferring unspent funds from a previous public assistance modernization fund. The bill also updates eligibility for Iowa's Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities program to disregard certain income and asset limits (up to $10,000 for individuals), and mandates a state review of similar programs in other states by December 2025. These changes directly affect low-income Iowans enrolled in IHAWP or the Medicaid program for employed people with disabilities.
