Healthcare

signed · Iowa · Senate May 19, 2025

SF 233: A bill for an act relating to the right to try Act.

This bill expands Iowa's "Right to Try" Act by broadening the definition of an "eligible patient." Previously limited to individuals with terminal illnesses, the bill now includes patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses. These patients can access "individualized investigational treatments," which are drugs or products unique to their genetic profile and have successfully completed Phase 1 clinical trials. The bill also defines "eligible facilities" and updates the specific requirements for written informed consent for patients with terminal illnesses.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to investigational treatments by broadening eligibility criteria, enhancing healthcare options for those with life-threatening conditions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 19, 2025

HF 806: A bill for an act relating to peer review committees and organ procurement organizations.

This bill updates state law by expanding the definition of a "peer review committee." It specifically includes statewide nonprofit organ procurement organizations (OPOs) within this definition. This change grants OPOs the same legal status and protections typically afforded to other peer review committees, such as those in hospitals or medical societies. The bill directly affects organ procurement organizations operating in the state by formally recognizing their internal review processes under this designation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens healthcare oversight by expanding peer review protections to organ procurement organizations, improving quality assurance in medical procedures.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 19, 2025

HF 297: A bill for an act relating to certain emergency services provided by a city.

This bill makes several changes related to emergency services provided by cities. It clarifies that cities can provide compensation, stipends, or benefits to volunteer firefighters and emergency medical care providers even if they hold other city offices. The bill also allows a currently serving city council member to be appointed as a volunteer fire chief, provided they abstain from voting on their own appointment. Furthermore, it permits cities to establish dedicated funds or reserve accounts for acquiring and maintaining major equipment for police, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services. These funds will receive insurance settlements or other payments for damaged emergency equipment, with a provision for reimbursing the city's general fund if it covered initial repair or replacement costs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows cities to compensate volunteer emergency medical providers and clarifies rules for fire chiefs, supporting emergency medical services infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands benefits and compensation for volunteer firefighters and emergency medical providers, allowing cities to provide stipends and establish dedicated funds for these workers.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 6, 2025

HF 532: A bill for an act enacting the dietitian licensure compact.

This bill enacts the Dietitian Licensure Compact, an agreement among states to facilitate the interstate practice of dietetics. It directly affects licensed dietitians by allowing those licensed in a participating state to practice in other member states without needing a separate license in each. The key mechanism is a "compact privilege," a legal authorization equivalent to a license, granted to qualifying professionals. This aims to increase public access to dietetics services, reduce administrative burdens for licensees and states, and support relocating military families, while preserving each state's regulatory authority. A Compact Commission will be established to oversee the agreement and ensure uniform requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to dietetics services by enabling interstate practice, improving patient access to healthcare professionals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 6, 2025

HF 471: A bill for an act modifying provisions related to school concussion and brain injury policies.

This bill modifies Iowa's existing law concerning school concussion and brain injury policies. It specifically expands the definition of "licensed health care provider" for the purpose of clearing students to return to extracurricular interscholastic activities after experiencing a concussion or brain injury. Under this bill, a person who holds a doctorate in psychology with specialty training in neuropsychology or concussion management would be added to the list of professionals who can provide such clearance. This change directly affects students participating in school activities and the range of medical professionals involved in their return-to-play protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands who can clear students to return to activities after concussion, protecting student health and ensuring safe participation in school programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands the definition of licensed healthcare providers to include neuropsychologists, improving access to specialized care for concussion management in schools.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 6, 2025

HF 875: A bill for an act relating to health insurers’ credentialing process.

House File 875 modifies the credentialing process for health insurers and certain healthcare providers. The bill requires health insurers to respond to credentialing requests from physicians, advanced registered nurse practitioners, and physician assistants within 56 calendar days. If a health insurer denies a credentialing request, it must provide the applicant with a written reason for the denial. These changes aim to improve the transparency and efficiency of the process by which these medical professionals become authorized to provide services and receive payment through health insurance plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves healthcare access by streamlining credentialing processes and requiring timely responses from insurers, enhancing transparency and efficiency for medical professionals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Iowa · House May 1, 2025

HF 919: A bill for an act relating to children’s specialty hospital designations for certain nonprofit organizations, and including effective date provisions.

House File 919 creates a new "specialty hospital" designation for certain nonprofit organizations in Iowa that were previously licensed nursing facilities. These hospitals must primarily serve individuals aged 30 and younger, with a high percentage of patients receiving Medicaid, and specialize in pediatric rehabilitation or complex medical/behavioral health needs. The bill directs state departments to grant qualifying entities a provisional general hospital license by July 1, 2025, enabling them to receive enhanced hospital-based reimbursement set at their average allowable per diem costs. It also allows for waivers from certain hospital facility requirements, construction standards, and exemptions from providing specific emergency, laboratory, or pathology services beyond what they currently offer. Furthermore, the bill permits the redesignation of nursing facility beds to specialty hospital beds and expansion up to 100 beds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates new specialty hospital designation for pediatric rehabilitation and behavioral health, expanding healthcare access for children and strengthening nonprofit healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Iowa · House Apr 28, 2025

HF 977: A bill for an act relating to the expansion of the ground emergency medical transportation program.

House File 977 expands the ground emergency medical transportation (GEMT) program. It requires the Department of Health and Human Services to employ dedicated staff to increase enrollment of eligible GEMT providers. These staff will offer technical assistance, actuary support, and help with Medicaid enrollment to providers seeking to participate. The department is also directed to develop the program to ensure access to emergency medical services statewide. Additionally, an annual report on the program's status, including enrollment numbers and barriers, must be submitted to the general assembly.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands GEMT program, increases provider enrollment via Medicaid assistance, and ensures statewide emergency medical access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands ground emergency medical transportation program, directly enhancing access to emergency medical services via transportation infrastructure, aligning with transportation policy focus.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Iowa · House Apr 25, 2025

HF 547: A bill for an act enacting the respiratory care interstate compact.

This bill enacts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing licensed respiratory therapists to practice in multiple states that join the compact. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines and patients needing respiratory care in member states. Under the compact, a respiratory therapist holding an unencumbered license in their primary state of domicile can obtain a "compact privilege" to practice in other member states without needing a separate full license in each. The compact aims to increase public access to respiratory therapy services, ease administrative burdens for licensees, and address workforce shortages. It also establishes a commission to administer the compact and maintain a data system for licensee information, while preserving each state's authority to regulate the practice of respiratory therapy within its borders.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to respiratory care by allowing therapists to practice across state lines, improving patient access to healthcare services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · Iowa · House Apr 24, 2025

HF 1000: A bill for an act providing for the establishment of a veterans service organization grant program, and making appropriations.

HF 1000 establishes a veterans service organization grant program and fund under the Department of Veterans Affairs. This program provides matching funds to eligible veterans service organizations to help them employ staff. These staff members are specifically tasked with assisting veterans in filing claims. To receive a grant, organizations must demonstrate they have budgeted their own funds, and the bill initially appropriates $250,000 to the fund for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $250,000 for veterans service grants, directly funding a state program under budgetary authority.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAssists veterans in filing healthcare claims, improving access to VA benefits and support services.80% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes grant program funding veterans service orgs to assist with claim filings, directly advancing veteran benefits access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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