Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa Senate Bill SSB1237

Introduced
4/29/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

This bill is set to influence a variety of state laws relating to veterans' services and health care funding in Iowa. By allocating funds for programs such as the Medical Assistance Program, Maternal Support Program, and behavioral health initiatives, it aims to enhance the support available for vulnerable populations. Additionally, the bill’s provisions on nonreversion of funds are aimed at allowing appropriations for health services to be carried over into subsequent fiscal years, which may ensure more sustainable funding for ongoing programs, and potentially improve institutional capabilities in handling clients' health services needs.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1237 focuses on appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services in Iowa. It earmarks funding for a broad range of programs including veterans affairs, behavioral health, public health, aging and disability services, and community access programs. The bill specifies amounts allocated for salaries, support, maintenance, as well as funding for health-related services aimed at improving the wellbeing of Iowa residents. The provisions outlined in the bill reflect a comprehensive approach to address the state's varied health service needs, financial assistance programs, and emergency responses in health care operations.

Contention

Notable points of contention within discussions surrounding SSB1237 involve the allocation for substance use and mental health services in light of existing programs and financial constraints. Critics may highlight concerns over whether the appropriations sufficiently address growing needs in these areas amidst budgetary limitations. Additionally, there could be discussions about the prioritization of funding between urgent health care services and ongoing support needs, particularly regarding the implications for public health and emergency service provisions in the wake of fiscal constraints.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA SSB1233

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch.

IA SSB3203

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the judicial branch, including by modifying the judicial retirement fund and membership of district judicial nominating commissions, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2436.)

IA SSB3200

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system.(See SF 2434.)

IA SSB1232

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the justice system.(See SF 644.)

IA SSB3201

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2435.)

IA SSB1231

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations to the education system, including the funding and operation of the department for the blind, department of education, and state board of regents, and including contingent effective date provisions.

IA SSB1236

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, Iowa finance authority, department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(See SF 645.)

IA SSB3198

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for the economic development of the state, including to the economic development authority, the Iowa finance authority, the public employment relations board, the department of workforce development, and the state board of regents and certain regents institutions.(See SF 2432.)

Similar Bills

IA HSB342

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.

IA SSB1228

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, and related provisions and appropriations, including aging and disability services, behavioral health, public health, community access and eligibility, health-related programs, reimbursement rates, family well-being and protection, state-operated specialty care, the beer and liquor control fund, and the behavioral health fund, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.

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 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 HF2698

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, including other related provisions and appropriations including but not limited to the personal needs allowance for certain persons under Medicaid and the state supplementary assistance programs, replacement generation tax revenues, the Medicaid fraud and health care trust funds, the retention of certain revenues by the mental health institutes, the retention of Medicaid eligibility by residents of mental health institutes, the scope of services of the state resource centers, the appropriation of moneys in the juvenile detention home fund, the family investment program account and diversion program, the child support collection services center refund account, the quality assurance assessment payment period, the centers of excellence grant program, an assisted living program revised payment model study, funding for county commissions of veteran affairs, foster care provisions including those relating to a relative or fictive kin, health care employment agencies and health care technology platforms, medical cannabidiol practitioner requirements, nursing facility oversight, and state-funded psychiatry residency and fellowship positions, providing penalties, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions. Effective date: 05/09/2024, 07/01/2024. Applicability date: 07/01/2022, 07/01/2023.

IA HF724

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 HSB 248.)

IA HSB248

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.(See HF 724.)

IA SF2437

A bill for an act relating to and making appropriations for veterans and health and human services, including other related provisions and appropriations, and including effective date and retroactive applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3205.)