Iowa Legislative Update

We’re Halfway There

After a flurry of activity last week, we have hit the 7^th week of the 90^th General Assembly and we now have the top priority bills that will be debated in the days ahead.

With major focuses on education, government efficiency, maternal health, our priorities have made it through and now is the time to have your voice heard. Our lawmakers will be spending less time in committees and more time in debate, so it is a great opportunity to reach out either while they are at the statehouse or when they are back in district on the weekends. Meetings are already in progress on budget legislation and we will be anxiously await what how much funding the state will invest in maternal health, healthy food access, tobacco control and prevention, CPR and Cardiac Emergency Response and Care.

Join us, March 6^th from 2-5 pm to help show the importance of Hands-only CPR, and AEDs to align with our work for the Nation of Lifesavers movement and the importance of implementing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in schools. Contact @Stacy Frelund if you would like to join us to educate lawmakers on this vital skill.

The next big deadline will be around Spring Break, March 15, a bill will have to be passed on the floor by one chamber and go through a bill subcommittee and standing committee in the other chamber to remain alive. 

 Maternal Health 

Both the Iowa Senate and House are moving towards extending Medicaid coverage to a full year postpartum. The legislation may be voted this week in both chambers.  This is an encouraging step, however right now the legislation would limit and remove coverage for 1,300 moms and their new-born babies who need health care. Join us and ask your lawmakers to amend this bill to help protect our newest moms. Take action now - It’s time for us to join the rest of the country and make sure our new moms have the health care coverage they need. 

SF 2251 Iowa Legislature - BillBook 

HSB 643 Iowa Legislature - BillBook 

 Paid Leave 

To assure all Americans achieve optimal health and wellbeing regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity we have been advocating for paid family leave for people to take after the birth of a child, adoption, or to care for a sick family member. Too many workers are forced to sacrifice their savings or their jobs when they need time off to bond with a new child or care for themselves or their families. Paid family and medical leave protects workers during these critical life moments, but the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world that does not guarantee access to it. The Governor introduced legislation, HF 2557 Iowa Legislature - BillBook, for a state Employee Parental Leave and we are hoping expand this leave for care of a sick family member.   

 Healthy Eating

We introduced legislation to provide expanded funding for the Double Up Food Bucks program increasing fruit and vegetable access for Iowans on food assistance.  HF 2022 Iowa Legislature - BillBook adds a one million for Double Up Food Bucks in the Health and Human Services budget in the upcoming weeks as legislators work through the budget process.

Tobacco Control

In the Governor’s State Govt Efficiency bill that eliminates Boards/Commissions, the Senate’s version of the bill they would eliminate the Tobacco Control Commission.  Our Tobacco Control and Prevention Coalition has been advocating before and during session to keep this important Commission that helps advise the Dept of Health and Human Services on tobacco control. HSB 710 Iowa Legislature - BillBook Keeps Tobacco Control Commission in tact so we are hoping this will be the final version of the bill.

EMS funding and TCPR potential

There are some EMS and Public Safety telecommunicator bills that will be debated in the days ahead.  We are talking to legislators about these bills and how we can incorporate TCPR training and funding into the next steps of implementation given that funding is being tied to these bills. 

CERP

HSB 692 Iowa Legislature - BillBook

School Safety has been a priority this session and one of the proposals, HSB 692, is a potential for inclusion of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans for schools.  Schools have fire, tornado and active shooter plans but are they prepared and equipped for a student having a cardiac arrest or a teacher suffering a heart attack?

In District Meeting Opportunities

In the News/Educational Articles

Iowa Senate votes to extend postpartum care in Medicaid - Radio Iowa

Iowa Senate Republicans pass bill that would extend postpartum Medicaid coverage (msn.com)

Des Moines Register: Kim Reynolds wants to cut Iowa boards and commissions. Lawmakers disagree about how much. 

Governor ‘firm’ in her decision not to opt in to federal Summer EBT program (msn.com) 

Iowa will not participate in federal summer meal program for low-income children (kwqc.com) 

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds rejects summer food program as local resources strain - The Daily Iowan