Healthcare

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 6, 2026

HF 2314: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for specified pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy.

HF 2314 requires Iowa health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders (PANS), PANDAS (a subset of PANS), and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy. It mandates coverage for medically necessary treatments - like antibiotics, behavioral therapies, plasma exchange, and immunoglobulin - as recommended by a healthcare provider and aligned with established medical protocols. The law applies to individual, group, and small group health insurance plans delivered or renewed in Iowa on or after January 1, 2027, and prohibits insurers from denying coverage based on prior treatment for these conditions or unrelated health issues. This directly affects children diagnosed with these conditions and their insurance providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune disorders, expanding access to medically necessary treatments like behavioral therapy and immunoglobulin.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SSB 3118: A bill for an act relating to utilization review organizations’ use of artificial intelligence, prior authorization determinations and exemptions, and prepayment audits, and including applicability provisions.

This bill (SSB 3118) prohibits utilization review organizations (insurance companies that approve medical treatments) from using artificial intelligence as the sole basis to deny, delay, or downgrade prior authorization requests for medically necessary care. It requires human review by qualified medical professionals - either a "qualified reviewer" (a physician in the same specialty) or a "clinical peer" (a non-physician specialist) - for all denials or downgrades. The bill mandates written explanations for denials, including specific reasons and reviewer credentials, and requires a consultation between the provider and reviewer within seven business days of denial. It directly affects health insurers, healthcare providers requesting coverage, and patients needing treatment approvals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI-only denials of medically necessary care, mandates human review by medical professionals to protect patient access and rights.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyProhibits AI as sole basis for medical denials, mandating human review instead, restricting AI use in healthcare decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 12, 2026

HF 2368: A bill for an act relating to the Iowa medical freedom Act, including limitations on requiring medical interventions by businesses, governmental entities, and educational institutions, modifying state authority during public health disasters, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2368, the Iowa Medical Freedom Act, restricts businesses, schools, and government entities from requiring medical interventions (like vaccinations) as a condition for services, attendance, or employment - except for specific foreign travel requirements. It prohibits businesses from denying service or employment based on medical intervention status, and bans schools and government agencies from mandating such interventions for students, staff, or access to public services. Exceptions allow employers to require medical interventions only for international travel where foreign entry requires them, with written contracts or 14 days' advance notice. The bill aims to prevent discrimination in employment or service access related to medical interventions while preserving limited foreign travel exceptions.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts mandates for medical interventions (e.g., vaccinations) in schools/businesses, limiting public health program enforcement.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits businesses from denying employment based on medical intervention status, protecting workers' rights against mandatory medical requirements for jobs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SF 2310: A bill for an act relating to eligibility for certain public assistance programs.

This bill (SF 2310) requires Iowa's Health and Human Services (HHS) to verify the immigration status and U.S. citizenship of applicants and recipients before approving or continuing benefits for four specific public assistance programs: SNAP (food assistance), Medicaid (healthcare), FIP (cash assistance), and CHIP (children's health insurance). It mandates using the federal "Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements Online" (SAVE) system to check this information. The change applies to both initial eligibility determinations and ongoing eligibility reviews for these programs. The bill does not alter benefit levels or eligibility criteria beyond this verification step.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts Medicaid eligibility by mandating immigration/citizenship verification, limiting healthcare access for non-citizens in a key public health program.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates immigration status verification for SNAP, Medicaid, and other public benefits, restricting access based on citizenship status per federal SAVE system requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medicaid Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 3, 2026

HF 2264: A bill for an act relating to the minimum per hour wage provided to home health aides under the Medicaid program, and making an appropriation.

HF 2264 sets a minimum hourly wage of $15.20 for home health aides working under Iowa's Medicaid program, effective July 1, 2026. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health agencies to ensure this minimum wage is met. It also appropriates state general funds to cover the cost of these higher reimbursements for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This directly affects home health aides providing Medicaid-covered services and home and community-based waiver services in Iowa.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state general funds to cover increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for home health aides, directly funding essential public service compensation under Medicaid program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets $15.20 minimum wage for Medicaid home health aides, requires reimbursement adjustments, and appropriates funds to maintain service quality and workforce stability in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentSets $15.20 minimum wage for Medicaid home health aides, requires reimbursement adjustments and funds appropriation, directly advancing worker compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid Minimum Wage

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2471: A bill for an act relating to electronic monitoring device requirements and health care facilities, including health care facility violations, and making penalties applicable.

HF 2471 allows residents in Iowa health care facilities to install electronic monitoring devices (like cameras or audio recorders) in their rooms, with specific requirements. Facilities must obtain written consent from all roommates before installation, and if consent is denied, must try to move the resident to a different room. The bill prohibits facilities from retaliating against residents who use these devices and requires them to post notices about monitoring in rooms. Residents or their legal representatives cover all costs for purchasing, installing, and maintaining the devices. This directly affects residents seeking privacy or safety measures and health care facilities managing room accommodations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows residents to install monitoring devices with consent requirements and prohibits retaliation, protecting patient rights in healthcare facilities per bill's consent and safety provisions.85% confidence

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in committee · Iowa · House Feb 23, 2026

HF 2665: A bill for an act relating to radon mitigation requirements and tax credits, including retroactive applicability provisions, and making appropriations.

HF 2665 requires new single-family and two-family residential construction (after adoption) to include passive radon mitigation systems in the building code. It creates a tax credit of up to $1,000 for homeowners and renters to cover the cost of installing radon mitigation systems, applying retroactively to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. For rental properties, tenants can test for radon (with results ≥4 picocuries per liter triggering landlord action), and landlords must install mitigation systems within 90 days or face lease termination with rent refunds. The bill also appropriates $100,000 for free radon test kits available to homeowners and renters through the state health department.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 tax credit for radon mitigation costs, providing direct tax relief to homeowners/renters and retroactively applying to 2025, aligning with fiscal support indicators.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates radon mitigation in new homes and provides tax credits to reduce indoor radon pollution, directly advancing pollution control within environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates radon mitigation in housing and provides tax credits to reduce exposure to a known carcinogen, directly supporting public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits

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signed · Iowa · House Apr 16, 2026

HF 2434: A bill for an act relating to insurance coverage for health care services provided pursuant to a referral by an out-of-network primary care provider.

HF 2434 requires insurance companies in Iowa to cover health care services referred by an out-of-network primary care provider (PCP) without charging higher out-of-pocket costs than for in-network referrals. It directly affects patients who rely on PCPs not in their insurance network, ensuring they face the same deductible, copay, or coinsurance as if the PCP were in-network. The law prohibits insurers from denying coverage solely based on the PCP’s network status and allows them to verify if the patient has a direct primary care agreement with that PCP. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to referrals made after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to cover out-of-network PCP referrals at in-network cost levels, improving patient access and protecting rights without higher out-of-pocket costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

signed · Iowa · House May 19, 2026

HF 2585: A bill for an act relating to the provision of accessible prescription-related measures for persons who are blind, have a visual impairment, or other print disability.

HF 2585 requires Iowa pharmacies to provide accessible prescription information - including drug labels, bag tags, and medical guides - in formats like audio or large print at no extra cost to people who are blind, visually impaired, or have print disabilities. Pharmacies must offer this by January 1, 2027, or refer customers to pharmacies that do, ensuring information is accessible in a timely manner comparable to sighted customers. Each year by April 1, the state pharmacy board must publish an online list of participating pharmacies. The law excludes institutional pharmacies (e.g., in hospitals), donation program pharmacies, and correctional facility pharmacies from these requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires accessible prescription info (audio/large print) for blind/visually impaired, improving patient access to medication without cost, aligning with healthcare access protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SSB 3139: A bill for an act relating to health-related matters, including health-related professions, certificates of need, and nutrition, and including applicability provisions.

This bill requires doctors in specific specialties (like family medicine, cardiology, and psychiatry) to complete one hour of nutrition and metabolic health continuing education every four years to renew their licenses. It updates Iowa's certificate of need rules to require approval for certain healthcare expansions, including behavioral health outpatient facilities, organ transplants, and equipment purchases over $1.5 million. The bill also establishes a "Summer EBT for Children" program aligned with federal SNAP guidelines, mandating that participating programs provide "healthy foods" as defined by the state. These changes directly affect licensed healthcare providers, facilities seeking expansions, and low-income children eligible for summer nutrition benefits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates nutrition education for doctors, expands behavioral health access via certificate of need updates, and creates Summer EBT for children nutrition program - all advance healthcare quality and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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