Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SF65

Introduced
1/12/23  
Introduced
1/12/23  

Caption

A bill for an act creating a health equity program and fund, and providing an appropriation.

Impact

The implementation of the health equity program is expected to fill gaps in coverage for necessary treatments related to menstruation and related health conditions, ensuring that individuals who are underinsured or not insured can access critical healthcare services. The program will be financed through a new health equity program fund, which will require appropriations from the general assembly and can also receive federal or private funds. Notably, funds allocated to the program are not subject to reversion at the end of the fiscal year, which ensures that the resources remain available for ongoing support.

Summary

Senate File 65 (SF65) establishes a health equity program in Iowa aimed at improving menstrual and post-menstrual health. The bill mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a program that reimburses costs related to healthcare services and treatments for menstrual and post-menstrual health conditions that are not covered by insurance. Under the new program, covered services include hormone treatments, urinary tract treatments, and other relevant medical interventions, all of which must comply with established medical practices or FDA regulations.

Contention

One of the contentious points around SF65 may stem from discussions about the limits of government involvement in health care decisions and the potential for expanding existing state welfare programs. Some stakeholders may argue that by introducing a new layer of reimbursement under public funding, this could set a precedent for further government involvement in personal health choices. Additionally, establishing program administrative guidelines requires careful consideration by HHS as it could impact service providers and insurance patterns in the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SF85

A bill for an act creating a health equity program and fund, and providing an appropriation.

IA HF151

A bill for an act relating to the establishment of a mental health practitioner loan repayment program, and providing appropriations.(Formerly HSB 9.)

IA HSB9

A bill for an act relating to the establishment of a mental health practitioner loan repayment program, and providing appropriations.(See HF 151.)

IA SSB1213

A bill for an act relating to appropriations for veterans and health and human services and including other related provisions and appropriations, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive and other applicability date provisions.(See SF 561.)

IA SSB1116

A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, regional centers of excellence, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program, self-administered hormonal contraceptives, state employee parental leave, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; making appropriations; and including effective date and applicability provisions.

IA SF414

A bill for an act relating to family-focused substance use disorder treatment and programming, and making an appropriation.

IA SF561

A bill for an act relating to appropriations for veterans and health and human services and including other related provisions and appropriations including health policy oversight, public assistance program provisions and a public assistance modernization fund, sprinkler systems for home and community-based services waiver recipient residences, a state-funded family medicine obstetrics fellowship program and fund, adoption subsidy program nonrecurring adoption expenses, real estate transactions involving departmental institutions, providing penalties, and including effective date and other applicability date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1213.) Effective date: 06/01/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HSB91

A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for rural emergency hospitals, regional centers of excellence, noneconomic damage awards against health care providers, a state-funded family medicine obstetrical fellowship program, self-administered hormonal contraceptives, review and approval of and public policy considerations relating to insurance benefits, maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, state employee parental leave, modification of property tax provisions for certain commercial child care properties, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; providing for appropriations, fines, and penalties; and including effective date and applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.(See HF 427.)

IA SSB1133

A bill for an act relating to the health and well-being of children and families including provisions for rural emergency hospitals, regional centers of excellence, noneconomic damage awards against health care providers, a state-funded family medicine obstetrical fellowship program, self-administered hormonal contraceptives, review and approval of and public policy considerations relating to insurance benefits, maternal support and fatherhood initiatives, state employee parental leave, modification of property tax provisions for certain commercial child care properties, adoption expenses under the adoption subsidy program, and accessibility to the all Iowa scholarship program; providing for appropriations, fines, and penalties; and including effective date and applicability and retroactive applicability provisions.

IA SF2083

A bill for an act relating to Medicaid program improvements, making an appropriation, and providing penalties.

Similar Bills

IA SF85

A bill for an act creating a health equity program and fund, and providing an appropriation.

NJ A5278

Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments.

NJ S4148

Establishes "New Jersey Menopause Coverage Act"; requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary perimenopause and menopause treatments.

CA SB953

Medi-Cal: menstrual products.

CA AB479

Workers’ compensation: permanent disability apportionment.

CA AB254

Confidentiality of Medical Information Act: reproductive or sexual health application information.

MT HB498

Establish a Menstrual Equity Act

WV HB3174

Require Correctional Facilities to provide free feminine hygiene products