Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 188: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for contraceptive devices, drugs, and services.

SF 188 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cover contraceptive drugs, devices, and services without cost-sharing (like copays or deductibles), provided the plan covers other prescription drugs or services. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, reducing benefits, or penalizing providers for offering contraceptive care, and defines "medical need" to allow doctors to recommend specific contraceptives without extra costs. The law applies to individual and group health plans (including those for public employees) issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes dental, vision, and short-term insurance. Insurers must clearly disclose contraceptive coverage details on their websites and via mail upon request.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates no-cost contraceptive coverage in health insurance, expanding access and protecting patient rights under healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SF 210: A bill for an act relating to the licensing, regulation, and discipline of licensed health professionals.

This Iowa bill (SF 210) requires health licensing boards to check national databases (including child abuse and sex offender registries) before issuing licenses, denying licenses if matches are found. It mandates creation of a public online database tracking disciplinary actions, especially for sexual misconduct, substance use, or medical malpractice. The bill requires immediate license suspension for sexual misconduct or assault allegations and a 10-year waiting period plus treatment for those with founded cases. It directly affects all health professionals (doctors, nurses, etc.) seeking or holding licenses in Iowa by tightening background checks, reporting duties, and disciplinary timelines.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens healthcare professional oversight via mandatory background checks, public disciplinary database, and immediate suspension for misconduct, protecting patient safety and professional standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 223: A bill for an act relating to mental health resources for students enrolled in public schools.

HF 223 requires Iowa public schools and accredited nonpublic schools to publish mental health resources provided by "your life Iowa" on their websites or link to those resources. It also mandates that schools partner with enrolled students to develop additional methods for increasing awareness of mental health resources and information. This applies to all school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in Iowa. The bill creates specific, concrete requirements for resource visibility and student involvement without altering the content of mental health services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates schools to provide mental health resources and increase awareness, directly enhancing student well-being and support systems in K-12 education, aligning with educational access and student program advancement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to publish mental health resources and partner with students for awareness, directly advancing student mental health services as specified in the bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 213: A bill for an act relating to pharmacy benefits managers, pharmacies, and prescription drug benefits, and including applicability provisions.

HF 213 limits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) in Iowa by requiring that payments made by health plan members for prescriptions count toward their deductible. It prohibits PBMs from charging different fees based on which pharmacy a member uses or blocking members from filling prescriptions at any in-state pharmacy that accepts their plan’s terms. The bill also bans PBMs from forcing members to use mail-order pharmacies exclusively for prescription drugs. These changes directly affect PBMs, pharmacies, and health plan members in Iowa, applying to PBMs managing prescription drug benefits in the state after the bill’s effective date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents PBMs from restricting pharmacy choice or charging variable fees, requiring payments count toward deductibles - improving patient access to prescriptions and protecting rights within insurance coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 225: A bill for an act relating to the personal needs allowance under the medical assistance program.

HF 225 increases the monthly personal needs allowance for residents in specific Iowa facilities from $50 to $75. It directly affects individuals living in nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for intellectual disabilities or mental illness, or psychiatric medical institutions for children under Iowa's medical assistance program. The bill requires the state to supplement residents with income below $75 to reach the $75 allowance and mandates annual adjustments tied to federal cost-of-living increases for Social Security and SSI benefits, capping the allowance at $200 per month. This change aims to better cover personal expenses not covered by medical assistance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases personal needs allowance in medical assistance program from $50 to $75, strengthening financial support for residents in healthcare facilities and advancing access to care under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 226: A bill for an act appropriating moneys for oncology research at the university of Iowa hospitals and clinics.

HF 226 appropriates $15 million from Iowa's general fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support oncology research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The funds, administered by the state board of regents, are designated exclusively for cancer research initiatives at these facilities. This bill directly provides dedicated state funding to advance cancer research at the University of Iowa's medical institutions during the specified fiscal period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15M from general fund for cancer research at public university hospital, directly funding a public health initiative.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $15M for cancer research at University of Iowa Hospitals, directly funding healthcare research initiatives to advance cancer treatment capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 224: A bill for an act eliminating certificate of need requirements and the state health facilities council.

HF 224 eliminates Iowa's certificate of need (CON) requirements and dissolves the state health facilities council. This bill removes the mandatory approval process needed for health care facilities (like hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes) to build new locations or expand services. Under current law, providers had to seek approval from the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) and the council; the bill repeals all related statutes, including sections governing CON applications. This change directly affects health care providers by reducing regulatory barriers for facility development and expansion.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates certificate of need requirements, reducing regulatory barriers for healthcare facility expansion, which typically improves market competition and patient access to services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 217: A bill for an act relating to prior authorization requirements for the treatment of cancer.

HF 217 prevents health insurance companies and utilization review organizations in Iowa from requiring prior approval for cancer treatments recommended by a patient's doctor using National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) protocols. This directly affects cancer patients and their healthcare providers by removing a common administrative barrier to timely care. The bill’s key provision mandates that insurers must cover these NCCN-recommended treatments without prior authorization. It changes the policy by requiring insurers to follow established clinical guidelines for cancer care, rather than imposing separate approval steps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves prior authorization barriers for NCCN-recommended cancer treatments, improving patient access to timely care without insurer delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2025

HF 254: A bill for an act relating to the reporting of serious reportable events, and providing penalties.

HF 254 requires Iowa healthcare facilities - including hospitals, surgical centers, and pregnancy resource centers - to report specific serious medical incidents to the state department of inspections within 15 working days. This includes events like wrong-site surgery, medication errors, patient disappearances, device failures causing injury, or deaths during routine procedures. Facilities must submit reports in a state-defined format without including patient or staff identifying information. Failure to report these incidents as defined in the bill may result in penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates incident reporting for healthcare facilities to improve safety oversight, aligning with patient protection and facility accountability in healthcare.85% confidence

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introduced · Iowa · Legislature

1457XD: Youth Services and Behavioral Health (1457XD) - Health and Human Services, Department of

This bill establishes standards for mental health care for Iowa youth under 21 with serious emotional disturbances or substance use disorders. It requires psychiatric medical institutions to develop individualized medical care plans based on comprehensive evaluations and provide team-based care led by qualified mental health professionals. The law clarifies that medically necessary inpatient services for these youth cannot be denied by insurers as "custodial care," ensuring coverage for treatment. These requirements directly affect youth receiving care in psychiatric facilities, the facilities themselves, and health insurers covering such services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover medically necessary youth mental health inpatient care, preventing denial as 'custodial care' - directly expands coverage and protects patient rights for mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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