Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Jan 16, 2025

HF 77: A bill for an act relating to practice requirements for surgical technologists.

HF 77 sets requirements for who can practice surgical technology in Iowa health care facilities. It prohibits employment or practice unless individuals meet specific qualifications, such as completing an accredited training program, holding national certification, or having prior employment in Iowa before July 1, 2025. Starting July 1, 2026, practitioners must complete 15 hours of annual continuing education, with the licensing department setting related rules. The bill explicitly does not restrict licensed doctors, nurses, dentists, or optometrists from performing surgical tech duties within their existing professional scope.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets qualification standards for surgical technologists to ensure patient safety and quality care, aligning with healthcare protection goals.95% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2025

HSB 10: A bill for an act relating to persons who may provide health services to students enrolled in a school district.

This bill requires Iowa school districts to employ either a licensed school nurse or a licensed athletic trainer (under Chapter 152D) to provide student health services starting July 1, 2025, replacing the current requirement for only a school nurse. It affects all public school districts in Iowa, mandating they aim for one provider per 750 students. The bill updates existing code sections to include athletic trainers as qualified personnel and specifies where health-related records must be stored (with the school nurse, athletic trainer, or administrator). These changes align with provisions for health services documentation and staffing in school health policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates school health personnel to ensure student well-being, supporting educational access and safety within school environments.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates qualified health personnel (nurses/trainers) per student ratio, improving school health service access and standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Iowa · House Jan 22, 2025

HF 111: A bill for an act creating an advanced registered nurse practitioner preceptor tax credit available against the individual income tax, and including applicability provisions.

HF 111 creates a tax credit for advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) who serve as unpaid clinical preceptors for nursing students. Eligible preceptors receive a $500 credit per qualifying clinical mentoring session (with at least 100 hours of supervised learning), capped at $2,000 annually for individual income tax. To qualify, preceptors must provide uncompensated instruction at their workplace, be selected by nursing programs, and have at least one year of preceptor experience. The credit applies to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and any unused portion isn’t refundable or carryable to other years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit against individual income tax for ARNPs, offering targeted tax relief aligned with fiscal support.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill incentivizes nursing preceptors to mentor students, directly supporting higher education training access and program capacity in nursing education.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tax credit to incentivize ARNPs to mentor nursing students, strengthening healthcare workforce development and improving future provider access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 23, 2025

SF 87: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for acupuncture.

SF 87 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover acupuncture services performed by licensed acupuncturists, starting January 1, 2026. The bill mandates that this coverage must be equally favorable as coverage for general physical illness, meaning out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles or copays) cannot be higher than for standard medical care. It applies to individual, group, and small group health insurance plans but excludes dental, vision, Medicare supplements, workers' compensation, and other specialized coverage. This law directly affects health insurance providers and policyholders by expanding covered services without increasing patient costs relative to conventional medical treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for acupuncture with equal cost-sharing as standard medical care, expanding access to alternative healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SF 130: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for infertility.

This bill requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation services starting July 1, 2025. It mandates coverage for up to three egg retrieval cycles with unlimited embryo transfers (using single embryo transfer when medically appropriate), and ensures fertility medications are covered at the same level as other prescription drugs. Plans must apply the same deductibles, copays, and benefit limits for infertility care as for other medical services. Religious employers may opt out of this requirement with written notice to employees. The law applies to standard health insurance plans but excludes dental, vision, short-term, and certain other specialized coverage types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis, treatment, and fertility preservation, expanding access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 27, 2025

SJR 1: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa relating to the right to reproductive care.

This proposed constitutional amendment would protect reproductive care - including abortion, contraception, prenatal care, and miscarriage management - as a fundamental right in Iowa, prohibiting state interference with these decisions. It allows state regulation only when necessary for a compelling interest using the least restrictive means, and permits abortion restrictions after fetal viability only if medically necessary to protect a patient’s life or health. The amendment must be approved by voters following legislative passage, as it is currently in committee review.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects reproductive care (abortion, contraception, prenatal care) as a fundamental right, prohibiting state interference and ensuring access, directly advancing healthcare patient rights and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 124: A bill for an act relating to the issuance of a subpoena or search warrant for menstrual health data.

This bill prohibits courts from issuing subpoenas or search warrants to obtain menstrual health data. It directly affects individuals whose menstrual health data - defined as any information created or received by an entity about a person's menstrual health, status, or predictions - might otherwise be sought in legal proceedings. The key provision amends Iowa law to explicitly ban subpoenas for such data under Section 622.63 and prohibits search warrants for digital menstrual health data under Section 808.2. These changes prevent law enforcement or courts from accessing this sensitive personal information through legal process. The bill focuses solely on restricting data collection methods, not on broader health policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits subpoenas/warrants for menstrual health data in criminal proceedings, protecting privacy rights and aligning with civil rights protections in criminal justice reform.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for menstrual health data, directly advancing healthcare rights by preventing legal access to sensitive health information.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits subpoenas/warrants for menstrual health data, strengthening privacy protections for sensitive digital health information under technology policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 102: A bill for an act relating to public school personnel training concerning mental health.

SF 102 requires all licensed K-12 school staff in Iowa with regular student contact to complete two annual, evidence-based mental health trainings by July 1, 2026. It mandates separate training on educator mental wellness (to occur within the first 60 days of the school year) and student social-emotional wellness with mental health symptom identification (to occur in January or February). Both trainings must follow nationally recognized best practices, and the state board of education will set qualifications for trainers. This bill directly affects school personnel holding licenses or certifications from Iowa's board of educational examiners.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based mental health training for K-12 staff, supporting educator wellness and student mental health programs per best practices.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates evidence-based mental health training for school staff, directly advancing mental health services in schools per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 85: A bill for an act creating a health equity program and fund, and providing an appropriation.

SF 85 creates a state health equity program and fund to reimburse providers for menstrual and post-menstrual health services not covered by insurance. It directly affects uninsured patients and qualifying healthcare providers who treat conditions like endometriosis, menopause, fibroids, and incontinence. The program requires reimbursement within 10 days of billing (if the patient is uninsured or the service isn’t covered), caps administrative costs at 4% of funds, and uses state revenue previously spent on genitourinary agents for public employees. The fund is replenished annually and operates as the "payor of last resort" for eligible covered services meeting medical standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates new state appropriation to fund health equity program for uninsured patients, directly increasing government spending on public health services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates state health equity fund to reimburse uninsured patients for uncovered menstrual/post-menstrual services, expanding coverage and access to medical care for conditions like endometriosis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Jan 28, 2025

SF 100: A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools.

This bill requires all Iowa public school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to publish mental health resources from "your life Iowa" (a state program) on their websites or link to them online. Schools must also collaborate with enrolled students to develop new ways to improve awareness of these mental health resources. The law directly affects students and schools by mandating accessible online resource sharing and student involvement in awareness efforts. It does not change funding or create new services, but standardizes how schools provide mental health information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide accessible mental health resources, enhancing student support and well-being directly within educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to publish mental health resources online and involve students, directly advancing student mental health access and awareness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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