This bill clarifies the authority of a health care decision-maker (attorney in fact) appointed under a durable power of attorney for health care in Iowa. It requires the decision-maker to follow the person's expressed wishes as written in the power of attorney, a separate life-sustaining procedures declaration, or communicated directly to them. The bill specifies that verbal requests to others or other documents cannot restrict the decision-maker's authority unless the power of attorney document explicitly states limitations. If the person's wishes are unknown, the decision-maker must act in their best interests based on medical condition and prognosis.
This bill requires Iowa public schools serving students in grades 7-12 to list the "Your Life Iowa" suicide prevention program's contact information (phone, text numbers, and website) as a resource on their school websites. It also mandates that schools issuing student ID cards to grades 7-12 must include this information on the cards, with schools serving grades 5-6 allowed to optionally include it. The law directly affects students in these grade levels by making suicide prevention resources more accessible through school-issued materials and online platforms. It does not change existing suicide prevention services but ensures schools proactively share this specific resource.
This bill creates a new health care-related tax on health maintenance organizations operating in Iowa, with revenues deposited into a new Medicaid managed care organization premiums health care tax fund. The tax rate begins at 3.5% for the first nine months of 2026 before dropping to 0.95% for the remainder of that year and all subsequent years, applying to payments made by these organizations for health care services and benefits. The legislation also establishes prepayment requirements, allowing organizations to pay estimated taxes in advance and receive credits or cash refunds if they overpay. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for tax collection, penalties for late payments, and the ability to offset certain assessments against this new tax liability.
SF 319, titled "The Patient’s Right to Save Act," requires health care providers to disclose the discounted cash price for each specific service they accept as payment. Providers must share this price in advance, including any variations based on timing, location, or patient income, and inform patients that cash payments may not be cheaper than insurance-negotiated rates. The bill mandates annual reviews of these prices and requires clear communication about cash payment options to both insured and uninsured patients before services are provided. It directly affects health care providers who accept cash payments, aiming to increase price transparency for consumers.
HF 383 would remove the pharmaceutical form of psilocybin (specifically crystalline polymorph COMP 360) from Iowa's Schedule I controlled substances list once the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it and reschedules it under federal law. This would allow doctors to legally prescribe, distribute, and market COMP 360 for medical use, directly affecting healthcare providers and patients seeking this treatment. The bill automatically aligns Iowa law with federal FDA decisions on this specific pharmaceutical formulation. Note: The bill was vetoed by the governor on June 11, 2025, so it has not become law.
HF 330 requires health insurance plans to cover evidence-based treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) for individuals diagnosed with ASD. It directly affects people with ASD who have health insurance, mandating that insurers provide this coverage without excessive cost-sharing. The bill establishes specific requirements for insurance companies to include ASD treatment services in their coverage, applying to most health insurance plans. This law, signed by the Governor on June 11, 2025, ensures that individuals with ASD can access necessary treatment through their insurance.
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.
This bill enacts changes across several areas overseen by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services. It introduces definitions for "behavioral health districts" and "disability access points" and establishes new restrictions on who can serve as an advocate for involuntarily hospitalized patients, excluding those affiliated with administrative services organizations (ASOs) or care providers. The bill also updates child foster care laws to formally include "approved kinship caregivers" alongside licensed foster parents, granting them decision-making authority under the "reasonable and prudent parent standard" and ensuring their participation in care planning. These provisions directly affect individuals receiving mental health and disability services, children in foster care, and the various organizations involved in providing these services.
HF 310 strengthens penalties for assaults targeting specific professionals, including healthcare providers. The bill makes existing assault penalties applicable when attacks occur against individuals working in certain occupations, such as healthcare. It directly affects individuals in these professions by ensuring assaults against them face the same legal consequences as other violent crimes. The key provision clarifies that penalties for assaulting these workers will be enforced without additional modifications to existing law.
HF 933 establishes requirements for pediatric palliative care centers in Minnesota, directly affecting children with serious illnesses and their families. The bill mandates specific standards for facility operations, staffing, and care coordination to ensure specialized medical support. It requires centers to meet these standards to provide services for pediatric patients facing life-threatening conditions. Signed into law by the Governor on May 27, 2025, the bill creates a framework for consistent, high-quality palliative care access.
