Healthcare (Hospitals) in Iowa

Legislators moving hospitals in Iowa
Legislator	Party	Stance	Support rate	Votes
Tom Shipley Senate · District 9	R	Support	67%	3

signed · Iowa · House May 1, 2025

HF 919: A bill for an act relating to children’s specialty hospital designations for certain nonprofit organizations, and including effective date provisions.

House File 919 creates a new "specialty hospital" designation for certain nonprofit organizations in Iowa that were previously licensed nursing facilities. These hospitals must primarily serve individuals aged 30 and younger, with a high percentage of patients receiving Medicaid, and specialize in pediatric rehabilitation or complex medical/behavioral health needs. The bill directs state departments to grant qualifying entities a provisional general hospital license by July 1, 2025, enabling them to receive enhanced hospital-based reimbursement set at their average allowable per diem costs. It also allows for waivers from certain hospital facility requirements, construction standards, and exemptions from providing specific emergency, laboratory, or pathology services beyond what they currently offer. Furthermore, the bill permits the redesignation of nursing facility beds to specialty hospital beds and expansion up to 100 beds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SF 2381: A bill for an act relating to nonmedical pregnancy resource centers, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

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.

Topics ✗ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

signed · Iowa · House May 2, 2026

HF 2305: A bill for an act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders, durable power of attorney for health care, and probate court guardianship reports.

This Iowa bill clarifies who can make healthcare decisions for patients who are terminally ill and unable to communicate. It establishes a priority order for decision-makers: first an attorney in fact (designated in a health care power of attorney), then a court-appointed guardian, spouse, or adult children. The law specifically applies to decisions about hospice care, palliative care, life-sustaining treatments, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders. It ensures that designated representatives or family members can guide end-of-life care when patients cannot express their wishes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · Iowa · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SF 2248: A bill for an act providing for paid family and medical leave to certain employees who have a child receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit.

This bill requires Iowa employers with 10 or more full-time employees to provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to workers whose child is hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The leave must be paid at the employee's regular hourly rate or salary, including all benefits like health insurance. Employers who fail to comply face penalties, including back pay and legal costs, with enforcement handled by the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. It directly affects Iowa workers with newborns in NICU care and their employers.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance Paid Leave

in committee · Iowa · House Feb 16, 2026

HF 2449: A bill for an act authorizing school districts to enter into agreements with cities and counties for the purpose of jointly procuring a group health insurance plan, nonprofit group hospital service plan, nonprofit group medical service plan, or group life insurance plan.

HF 2449 allows Iowa school districts to partner with cities and counties to jointly purchase group health insurance, nonprofit hospital plans, nonprofit medical plans, or group life insurance for their employees. Currently, school districts can only partner with other school districts or area education agencies for these plans, but this bill expands that option to include municipal and county governments. The key change is amending Iowa Code 279.12 to explicitly permit these new agreements, while clarifying they won't be classified as federal "multiple employer welfare arrangements." This directly affects school districts, cities, and counties seeking cost-effective health insurance solutions for their workforce.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

died · Iowa · House Mar 2, 2026

HF 2094: A bill for an act directing the department of health and human services to increase the number of inpatient psychiatric beds at each state mental health institute.

HF 2094 requires Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services to at least double the number of inpatient psychiatric beds at each state mental health institute by July 1, 2027, using the bed count from June 30, 2025, as the baseline. The bill also mandates that the department apply for a federal Medicaid waiver by October 1, 2026, to allow Medicaid funding for these additional beds. This policy directly affects Iowa's state mental health institutes by requiring them to expand capacity and navigate federal funding changes. The bill aims to increase access to inpatient psychiatric care through concrete, time-bound requirements.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Mental Health

died · Iowa · House Mar 16, 2026

HF 2033: 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 2033 requires pharmacies in Iowa to provide free accessible prescription information (including labels, bag tags, and medical guides) in formats like braille or audio to people who are blind, visually impaired, or have other print disabilities. Pharmacies must offer this directly or refer patients to an accessible location within a reasonable distance, with information provided in a timely manner comparable to non-disabled patients. Health insurers must reimburse pharmacies through an enhanced dispensing fee, and the pharmacy board must publish an annual list of compliant pharmacies online. The law excludes institutional pharmacies (e.g., hospital pharmacies) and certain correctional or donation-based settings, with rules to be adopted by January 1, 2027, and a progress report due by January 2028.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Prescription Drugs

in committee · Iowa · House May 12, 2025

HSB 342: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; reimbursement rates; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care, administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; autism spectrum disorder; involuntary commitment hearing testimony; discharge of involuntarily committed persons; medical residency and fellowships; maintenance and costs of juvenile homes; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HSB 342 is a legislative bill that makes appropriations for the fiscal years 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It allocates funds to support veterans' programs, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a new grant program for veterans service organizations to assist with claims. The bill also provides funding for a wide range of health and human services, such as aging and disability services, behavioral health programs, and the medical assistance program, affecting citizens across the state. Key provisions include establishing a dementia services coordinator position and a hospital directed payment program.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals

signed · Iowa · House Jun 27, 2025

HF 1049: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care, administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

HF 1049 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects programs including aging and disability services, behavioral health initiatives, the medical assistance program, and state-operated specialty care. The bill specifically includes funding for sex reassignment surgeries or associated procedures within health-related programs. Signed into law on June 11, 2025, it provides financial support for these services and includes reporting requirements for unspent funds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals

in committee · Iowa · Senate May 6, 2025

SSB 1237: A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the department of veterans affairs and the department of health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services; behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility; the medical assistance program, state supplementary assistance, Hawki, and other health-related programs; family well-being and protection; state-operated specialty care; administration and compliance; transfers, cash flows, and nonreversions; prior appropriations; the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund; report on nonreversion of moneys; emergency rules; more options for maternal support program; and a hospital directed payment program; and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

SSB 1237 is an appropriations bill that allocates state funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services. It provides funding for veteran services, including the Iowa Veterans Home and a home ownership assistance program, directly benefiting veterans and their families. The bill also supports aging and disability services, behavioral health programs for addiction prevention and treatment, and various public health initiatives, impacting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and those seeking health services. Key provisions include funding for a maternal support program and a hospital directed payment program, with some moneys drawn from specific funds like the sports wagering receipts fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Hospitals Substance Abuse Veteran Benefits

Healthcare (Hospitals)

Who's moving hospitals in Iowa

All healthcare bills

HF 919: A bill for an act relating to children’s specialty hospital designations for certain nonprofit organizations, and including effective date provisions.

SF 2381: A bill for an act relating to nonmedical pregnancy resource centers, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.

HF 2305: A bill for an act relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders, durable power of attorney for health care, and probate court guardianship reports.

SF 2248: A bill for an act providing for paid family and medical leave to certain employees who have a child receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit.

HF 2449: A bill for an act authorizing school districts to enter into agreements with cities and counties for the purpose of jointly procuring a group health insurance plan, nonprofit group hospital service plan, nonprofit group medical service plan, or group life insurance plan.

HF 2094: A bill for an act directing the department of health and human services to increase the number of inpatient psychiatric beds at each state mental health institute.

HF 2033: 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.