Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 11, 2026

HF 606: A bill for an act relating to certain health insurance policies, contracts, and plans and a special enrollment period for pregnant women.

HF 606 requires health insurance plans (including individual/group accident/sickness, hospital/medical, HMOs, and public employee plans) to provide a special enrollment period for pregnant women. This allows pregnant women to enroll in coverage at any time after a healthcare professional certifies their pregnancy, without fees or penalties. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month when pregnancy is certified (or the next month if chosen by the woman). The bill applies to most health insurance policies delivered or renewed on or after January 1, 2026, but excludes accident-only, Medicare supplement, dental, vision, and similar coverage types.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires health insurers to provide special enrollment for pregnant women without fees, expanding coverage access and protecting patient rights during pregnancy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Women's Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 605: A bill for an act relating to the prescribing and dispensing of self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

HF 605 allows pharmacists in Iowa to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives (like pills, rings, or patches approved by the FDA) without a new prescription, using a standing order from the health department. Pharmacists must complete specific training, conduct a patient risk assessment, provide counseling on use/side effects, and refer patients if unsafe, while dispensing up to a 12-month supply at once. The bill also requires health insurance plans to cover these contraceptives without excluding them, similar to other outpatient prescription drugs. It explicitly excludes abortion-inducing drugs and mandates patient education on backup contraception and STI prevention.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to contraceptives via pharmacists, mandates insurance coverage, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Women's Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 607: A bill for an act relating to eligibility of pregnant women and infants for the Medicaid program.

HF 607 increases Iowa's Medicaid eligibility income threshold for pregnant women and infants from 215% to 375% of the federal poverty level. It directly affects low-income pregnant individuals and infants whose families earn up to 375% of the federal poverty level, expanding access to coverage. The bill requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to submit state plan amendments to the federal government by January 2026, enabling 12 months of continuous postpartum Medicaid coverage for eligible pregnant women and updating infant eligibility rules. This change aligns with federal provisions under the American Rescue Plan Act and aims to improve healthcare continuity for this population.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women and infants to 375% FPL, increasing healthcare access and enabling 12-month postpartum coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 26, 2025

HF 337: A bill for an act relating to reimbursement rates under the Medicaid dental wellness plan.

HF 337 requires Iowa's Medicaid dental wellness plan to align reimbursement rates for dental providers with those paid under the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (Hawki) program. This change aims to increase dental provider participation in Medicaid by ensuring they receive the same payment rates as in the Hawki program. The bill directly affects dental providers who serve Medicaid members and Medicaid beneficiaries seeking dental care. By matching reimbursement rates, the policy seeks to improve access to dental services for Medicaid enrollees without altering eligibility or coverage. The bill is currently under review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns Medicaid dental reimbursement with Hawki program to increase provider participation and access for beneficiaries, directly improving dental care access under Medicaid.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 20, 2025

HF 500: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for the maintenance and repair of complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs.

HF 500 requires health insurance companies in Iowa to cover maintenance and repairs for complex rehabilitation technology wheelchairs (CRT wheelchairs) starting January 1, 2026. It directly affects patients using CRT wheelchairs (individually configured for medical needs), qualified wheelchair suppliers, and health insurance carriers. The bill mandates that qualified suppliers provide service/repairs and annual preventative maintenance without requiring prior authorization or documentation of ongoing medical necessity from insurers. Suppliers must be accredited, employ certified professionals, and maintain service records that insurers cannot audit. This applies to all health insurance plans covering these devices, ensuring ongoing access to critical mobility support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for CRT wheelchair maintenance/repairs, expanding patient access to essential medical equipment without prior authorization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HJR 10: 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 establish a fundamental right to reproductive care in Iowa's Constitution, protecting services like contraception, abortion, prenatal care, and infertility treatment. It prohibits the state from interfering with these personal health decisions unless a "compelling state interest" is proven through the "least restrictive means," with specific exceptions allowing post-viability abortion restrictions only when medically necessary to protect a patient's life or health. The amendment directly affects all Iowans seeking reproductive healthcare by enshrining these rights at the constitutional level. If adopted by the legislature and voters, it would replace current state abortion laws with this new constitutional standard, though it remains a proposal pending ratification.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes constitutional right to reproductive care (contraception, abortion, prenatal care), prohibiting state interference without compelling justification, directly protecting healthcare access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 665: A bill for an act relating to mental health services at public institutions of higher education.

HF 665 requires Iowa's public colleges and universities to enhance mental health support for students. It mandates annual mental health awareness sessions during orientation, integration of mental health topics into coursework, and publication of campus mental health resources online. The bill also requires institutions to implement an annual online screening tool for mental health conditions (starting three years after enactment), provide mental health first aid training for resident assistants and advisors, establish peer support programs using student peers, and form partnerships with local mental health providers for referrals. These measures directly affect all students at Iowa's public institutions of higher education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates enhanced mental health support in higher education, including orientation sessions, curriculum integration, and screening tools, strengthening student well-being and access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates enhanced mental health support in colleges, including screenings, training, and resources - directly advancing mental health services as part of healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 663: A bill for an act relating to provision of the state family planning services under the Medicaid program, and including effective date and repeal provisions.

This bill (HF 663) seeks to continue Iowa's Medicaid-funded family planning services by requiring the state to request federal approval for a new "Iowa Family Planning Network." It would replace the current state program (Section 217.41B of the Iowa Code) with a network operating under the same benefits and rules as a federal waiver approved in 2017. The repeal of the old program takes effect only after the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approves the new state plan amendment. This change directly affects Iowans who use Medicaid for family planning services and the state program providing those services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill continues Medicaid family planning services via new network structure, maintaining access to public health programs under federal waiver framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 662: A bill for an act appropriating moneys to the department of health and human services for refugee resettlement assistance, and including effective date provisions.

HF 662 allocates $2.5 million from Iowa's general fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for fiscal year 2024-2025 to support refugee resettlement services. The funds are specifically for nonprofit resettlement agencies partnering with the U.S. Department of State to assist refugees in Iowa, covering costs like housing, employment, and healthcare. HHS must distribute the money proportionally to each agency based on the number of refugees they sponsor, and all funds must be disbursed within seven days of the bill taking effect. This direct funding supports refugees and the nonprofits providing their resettlement services in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.5M from general fund to HHS for refugee resettlement services, increasing public service funding per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2.5M for refugee healthcare services via resettlement programs, directly funding medical access for vulnerable populations through HHS.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill allocates $2.5M specifically for refugee housing assistance through resettlement agencies, directly funding housing costs as part of resettlement services.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationAllocates $2.5M to HHS for refugee resettlement services including housing, employment, and healthcare, directly supporting immigrant integration and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 28, 2025

HF 658: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for prescription insulin drugs.

HF 658 requires most health insurance plans in Iowa to cap out-of-pocket costs for prescription insulin at $25 per prescription for up to a 31-day supply. It applies to all covered insulin types (rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting) and affects people with diabetes who have insulin-covered plans. The cap takes effect for new or renewed policies starting January 1, 2026, but excludes specialized coverage like Medicare supplements, dental, or workers’ compensation plans. Plans may offer lower costs than $25 but cannot exceed this limit. This directly reduces financial burdens for Iowans managing diabetes through their insurance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps insulin costs at $25/prescription, reducing patient financial burden and improving access to essential medication for diabetics.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare Prescription Drugs

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