Healthcare (Hospitals)

This bill regulates nonmedical pregnancy resource centers in Iowa, which provide pregnancy counseling without medical services or abortion referrals. It requires these centers to visibly disclose they are not licensed medical providers, include nearby hospital information in all materials, ensure ultrasounds are performed by licensed providers, and comply with HIPAA confidentiality rules. The bill terminates the existing "More Options for Maternal Support" (MOMS) program by August 2026, redirecting unspent funds to increase reimbursement rates for labor and delivery services under Iowa's medical assistance program. A $1 million appropriation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year supports this reimbursement increase.

SF 84 limits noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases against health care providers and hospitals to $250,000 per injury or death, with exceptions for substantial bodily impairment, disfigurement, or death (up to $1 million, or $2 million if a hospital is involved). It removes the "loss of pregnancy" exception and repeals the annual 2.1% cap increase. For punitive damages, the bill requires that only 25% of the award goes to the plaintiff in medical cases, with the remainder funding indigent legal aid and insurance programs via a civil reparations trust. This directly affects patients filing medical malpractice claims and health care providers facing lawsuits. The bill does not change how economic damages (like lost wages) are calculated.