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 What Cancer Control Partners Need to Know about the 2025 Iowa Legislative Session

Post-second-funnel update: April 7, 2025

Dear Iowa Cancer Consortium members and partners,  

The second Iowa legislative “funnel” deadline was this past Friday, April 4. This means that to stay viable, most bills must pass out of the full House or Senate and out of a sub-committee and full committee in the other chamber. Bills that are assigned to the Ways and Means or Appropriations Committees and those that are proposed by leadership remain “funnel-proof” and are not subject to this deadline.  

This is one of the final hurdles for bills in the 2025 legislative session. To become law, a bill must pass in both the House and the Senate before they adjourn for the year (tentatively scheduled for May 2) and be signed by the governor. The governor can choose whether to sign a bill into law and can veto pieces of a bill before signing. Her signature is the final step to a bill becoming law.  

Though the Iowa Cancer Consortium does not use state or federal funds to engage in lobbying, and therefore does not endorse or oppose any proposed bills or actions, we want you to have the information you need to participate and make your voices heard.  

Below is an updated list of bills (by topic) our partners are watching, plus some resources for understanding and engaging in the legislative process at the state level. An asterisk (*) by the bill number indicates it is successfully through the second funnel.  

The following is shared for informational purposes only and is likely not a comprehensive list. If we’ve missed something, please let us know. 

Access to Care

    • Include anti-copay accumulator language that would require that payments from patient assistance programs be applied towards a patient’s cost-sharing requirements.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
    • The Alliance for Patient Access and the Iowa Rural Health Association are two organizations supporting this bill. Contact Threase Harms at [email protected].  
    • Would address barriers to care from prior authorization requirements and would establish a prior authorization exemption program.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
  • *HF969 (previously HSB 266)  
    • Expands benefits associated with cancer diagnoses for certain public servants, including firefighters and police officers.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
  • *SF233 (previously SF56)  
    • This is a “Right to Try” bill. Right to Try laws generally allow patients with life-threatening illnesses who have exhausted all approved treatment options to access certain experimental drugs that haven’t yet been fully approved by the FDA, bypassing the typical regulatory process, provided they meet specific criteria and can obtain consent from their doctor and the drug manufacturer; essentially giving them the right to try investigational treatments not readily available to the public.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
    • This bill relates to pharmacy benefits manager reverse auctions and group insurance for public employees and includes effective date. 
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
    • Relates to cost controls for healthcare services.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  

Breast Cancer

    • Addresses cost-sharing requirements for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations.  
    • This bill did not survive the second funnel and is no longer viable this year. 

Cancer Research

    • This is a nicotine vapor product tax parity bill that would also establish a Cancer Research Fund.  
    • Assigned to the Ways and Means Committee and therefore funnel proof. 

Medicaid Work and Community Engagement Requirements and Repeal of Medicaid Expansion

  • *SF 615 (previously SF 599 and SF363; substituted for HF 948)  
    • Submits a waiver to the federal government to implement work and community engagement requirements for Iowa’s Medicaid recipients.  
    • Also requires Medicaid Expansion to be repealed in Iowa if the federal government does not approve that waiver.  
    • This is a priority of the Governor’s and is successfully through the April funnel.  
    • American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), and other partners are very concerned about the implications of this bill for Iowans. They say it will create a large burden on the Medicaid population, who will be required to prove that they are working or volunteering 80 hours per month to remain enrolled in Medicaid. 
    • Eliminating Medicaid expansion could affect about 180,000 Iowans. Expansion was passed years ago through bipartisan efforts. 

Pesticides

  • SF394 (previously SSB1051)  
    • Would provide legal protection for pesticide manufacturers in cases claiming their products caused adverse health effects including cancer if the product has a federally approved warning label.  
    • Did not survive the second funnel and is no longer viable this year. 

Radon

    • Requires new single-family or two-family residential construction to include passive radon mitigation systems.  
    • Did not survive the second funnel and is no longer viable this year. 
    • Allows an income tax credit for radon mitigation costs up to $1,000. 
    • Remains viable through the funnel because it is assigned to the Ways and Means Committee.  
  • *HF 707 (previously HF 364)  
    • Appropriates $20,000 to make radon test kits available for free to homeowners and renters in Iowa.  
    • Remains viable through the funnel because it is assigned to the Appropriations Committee.  
    • Allows tenants to conduct radon tests in their dwelling units and to get out of leases without financial penalty if radon is detected and not mitigated by the landlord.  
    • Did not survive the second funnel and is no longer viable this year. 

Rural Health Care

  • *HF 972 (previously HF754) 
    • This is Governor Kim Reynolds’ bill.  
    • Relates to healthcare including a funding model for the rural healthcare system; the elimination of several healthcare-related award, grant, residency, and fellowship programs; establishment of a healthcare professional incentive program; Medicaid graduate medical education; the health facilities council; and the Iowa health information network, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions. 
    • Assigned to the Appropriations Committee and therefore funnel proof.  

Tanning

    • Prohibits people under 18 from using tanning devices without in-person parental consent.  
    • Did not survive the April funnel and is no longer viable this year. 

Tobacco and Nicotine Control

  • HF 781 (previously HSB148)  
    • Eliminates the exception under the Smokefree Air Act that allows smoking in casinos.  
    • Did not survive the April funnel and is no longer viable this year. 
    • Provide a tax break on “heated” tobacco products.  
    • The Iowa Tobacco Prevention Alliance (ITPA) is opposed to this bill and says tobacco companies falsely claim these products are less harmful than cigarettes.  
    • Funnel proof and viable because they are assigned to the Ways & Means Committee.  
  • *HF 795 (previously HSB 92) 
    • Relates to to minimum unit pricing on tobacco.  
    • Funnel proof because it is assigned to the Ways and Means Committee. 
    • See discussion above of SF 475 under “Cancer Research.” 

Vaccination

  • *HF 384 (previously HF104) and SF 304 (previously SF120)  
    • Would prevent a minor from being able to consent to receiving a vaccination for a sexually transmitted disease or infection, including HPV.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel. 
    • Relates to charter school exemptions for vaccinations. 
    • Did not survive the April funnel and is no longer viable this year. 
    • Require that information on exemptions be included in any recommendations of immunization by the DHHS. Requires schools and daycare centers to publish such information on the internet and to include it in any notices to parents on immunization. Requires the state Board of Education to adopt rules. Requires community colleges and the Regent schools to include information on exemptions in any notices on immunization requirements. 
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  
    • Allows people to refuse vaccination based on “conscience,” even if required by an employer.  
    • Successfully through the April funnel.  

Happy engaging, partners!  

Resources 

*Indicates bill is successfully through the April 4 funnel deadline. 

The Iowa Cancer Consortium is a non-partisan, non-political organization and does not use state funds to engage in lobbying. Views presented by members and partners during Policy Workgroup meetings and through Consortium communications do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, its board of directors, staff or membership. 

Post-Funnel Update: March 11, 2025

Dear Iowa Cancer Consortium members and partners,  

Last Friday, March 7th, was the first Iowa legislative “funnel” deadline of the 2025 session. To stay viable, most bills must pass (or “report out” of) a sub-committee and full committee in either the House or Senate. Bills that are assigned to the Ways and Means or Appropriations Committees and those that are proposed by leadership remain “funnel-proof” and are not subject to this deadline. 

This guide from the Des Moines Register is helpful if you need a refresher on the path of bills into law. 

Proposed legislation will face its next hurdle on April 4th, the second funnel deadline. To remain viable past this date, a bill must pass one full chamber (the House or Senate) and pass a committee in the other. Bills assigned to the Appropriations or Ways and Means Committees and bills proposed by leadership remain exempt from funnel deadlines. Additionally, bills placed on an “unfinished business calendar” can also be considered past the deadline. View the session timeline here.  

Though the Iowa Cancer Consortium does not use state or federal funds to engage in lobbying, and therefore does not endorse or oppose any proposed bills or actions, we want you to have the information you need to participate and make your voices heard. 

Below is an updated list of bills by topic with information about how they faired through the funnel deadline.  

The following is shared for informational purposes only and is likely not a comprehensive list. If we’ve missed something, please let us know. 

Access to Care 

  • HF852 (previously HSB 99) and SF 383 are successfully through the funnel. They relate to pharmacy benefits manager reform and include anti-copay accumulator language that would require that payments from patient assistance programs be applied towards a patient’s cost-sharing requirements, benefiting patients. ACS CAN is supportive. Contact Jackie Cale or Threase Harms.  
  • HF303/SF231 are successfully through the funnel and have passed on the House side. These bills would address barriers to care from prior authorization requirements and would establish a prior authorization exemption program. Contact Threase Harms at [email protected]. 
  • SF 197 did not successfully make it through the funnel. This bill would have addressed prescription drug coverage for metastatic cancer.  

Breast Cancer  

  • SF 197 and HF 217 did not advance through the funnel deadline. These bills related to step therapy for metastatic breast cancer patients.  
  • HF 318 is successfully through the first funnel deadline and has passed the full House. This bill relates to cost-sharing requirements for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations, and is led by Iowa Army of Pink and supported by Susan G. Komen and ACS CAN. These organizations are asking for support from advocates for the bill. Contact Jean Paul with Iowa Army of Pink. Contact Alimyon Allen with Susan G. Komen.  

Cancer Research 

  • See discussion above of SF 475 and the development of a Cancer Research Fund.  
  • Other proposed bills that would have appropriated funds for cancer research, did not make it through the funnel deadline: SF 63, HF 489, HF 226. 
  • In her Condition of the State address, the governor asked the state legislature to appropriate $1 million for a partnership between Iowa HHS and the University of Iowa College of Public Health to research what is driving Iowa’s high cancer rates. It is likely this will be included in the education budget rather than introduced as a separate bill.  

Immunization (Contact Elizabeth Faber) 

  • SF 360 did not advance through the funnel deadline. This bill would have made it illegal to administer an mRNA, or “gene-based” vaccine. 
  • HF 712 did not advance through the funnel. Lawmakers developed this bill as a replacement for SF 360. It would have required vaccine manufacturers to waive immunity from injury suits in order for their vaccines to be sold in the state. 
  • HF 384 and SF 304 successfully advanced through the funnel. They would eliminate a minor’s ability to consent to a vaccine related to a sexually transmitted disease, including HPV. Iowa Immunizes is opposed to these bills.  
  • SF 6 and HF 299 successfully advanced through the funnel. These bills would require schools and daycares to publish information about exemptions whenever they publish immunization information.   
  • SF 180 successfully advanced through the funnel. It would allow people to refuse vaccination based on “conscience,” even if required by an employer.  
  • SF 128 successfully advanced through the funnel. It would require medical examiner reports for investigations of infant and young children’s deaths to include a request for information regarding the date and type of the decedent’s last immunization.  
  • SF 113 did not advance through the funnel deadline. This bill would have brought back the requirement for schools to teach about HPV and the availability of an HPV vaccine.  

Medicaid Work/Community Engagement Requirements and Medicaid Expansion 

  • SF 363 and HSB 248 are successfully through the funnel. These bills would implement work and community engagement requirements for Medicaid recipients. Both now include language that also requires Medicaid Expansion to be repealed if the federal government does not approve Iowa’s waiver for work and community engagement requirements. Medicaid expansion currently covers about 180,000 Iowans. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) opposes these bills and is very concerned about them and their implications for Iowans. They expect the bills to move quickly as they are a priority of the governor. ACS CAN is asking people to contact their lawmakers and share action alerts with their networks. Contact Jackie Cale or Angie Sylling.  

Tobacco Control 

  • HF 781 (previously HSB 148) is successfully through the funnel and getting lots of bipartisan support. This bill would eliminate the casino exemption from the Smoke Free Air Act.  Americans for Nonsmokers Rights is leading on the bill – contact Traci Kennedy. American Lung Association (ALA) also supports this bill – contact Kristina Hamilton. 
  • SF 475 (previously SSB 1137) is not subject to funnel deadlines because it is a tax bill and referred to the Ways and Means Committee, therefore it remains viable. ALA is working with Sen. Mike Klimesh on language for this vapor product tax parity bill and is asking that some of the percentages and definitions in the bill be changed to align with code so there is no confusion about the products and so that are taxed on par with combustible cigarettes. Rep. Ann Meyer is expected to carry the bill in the House. Contact Kristina Hamilton. This bill would also create a Cancer Research Fund from some of the generated revenue.  
  • SSB 1212 was just introduced and is funnel proof because it was assigned to the Ways and Means Committee. It is related to the regulation and taxation of tobacco products and heated tobacco products. ALA is watching the bill and will have more analysis soon. Contact Kristina Hamilton. 

Pesticides 

  • SF 394 is successfully through the funnel. It would provide legal protection for pesticide manufacturers in cases claiming their products caused adverse health effects including cancer if the product has a federally approved warning label.  

Radon 

  • HF 82 is successfully through the funnel. It would require new single-family or two-family residential construction to include passive radon mitigation systems.  
  • HF 211 is funnel proof because it has been assigned to the Ways and Means Committee. It would allow an income tax credit for radon mitigation costs up to $1,000.  
  • HF 707 (previously HF 364) is through the funnel deadline and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee, making it funnel proof. It would appropriate $20,000 to make radon test kits available for free to homeowners and renters in Iowa.  
  • HF 700 (previously HF 377) is successfully through the funnel. It would allow tenants to conduct radon tests in their dwelling units and to get out of leases without financial penalty if radon is detected and not mitigated by the landlord.  
  • SF 43 did not make it through the funnel deadline. It would have authorized cities to require radon testing for single family residences used as rental properties.  

Tanning 

  • HF 524  is successfully through the funnel deadline. It would prohibit people under 18 from using tanning devices.  

Resources 

 The Iowa Cancer Consortium is a non-partisan, non-political organization and does not use state or federal funds to engage in lobbying. Views presented by members and partners during Policy Workgroup meetings and through Consortium communications do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, its board of directors, staff or membership. 

Updated: February 13, 2025

Dear Iowa Cancer Consortium members and partners,  

The 2025 Iowa Legislative Session is in full swing and bills are being introduced that could affect cancer outcomes in our state.  

Cancer control advocates are a critical part of making the legislative process work. And if you’re reading this, you’re likely a cancer control advocate. Though the Iowa Cancer Consortium does not use state or federal funds to engage in lobbying, and therefore does not endorse or oppose any of the proposed bills or actions, we want you to have the information you need to participate and make your voices heard.  

And making your voice heard is incredibly important!  

You may remember Rep. Austin Baeth (D, District 36) and Rep. Hans Wilz (R, District 25) as the hit bi-partisan duo from the 2024 Iowa Cancer Summit. They are hard at work in Des Moines right now introducing some of the bills that they hope will become law by the end of this session and that will help Iowa turn its second-in-the-nation-for-cancer-incidence status around. But they and their colleagues need to hear often from Iowans about what they want and don’t want.  

“It’s crucial that lawmakers hear from experts and advocates about why cancer control should be a top priority this year,” says Rep. Baeth. Rep. Wilz recommends sharing personal stories and reminds cancer control advocates that “There is a good chance someone you know will benefit from more cancer policy in Iowa. You have a chance to save lives!” 

Below is a list of bills and issues (by topic) our partners are watching, plus some resources for understanding and engaging in the legislative process at the state level. The following is shared for informational purposes only and is likely not a comprehensive list. If we’ve missed something, please let us know. 

Need a quick refresher on how bills become laws or what some of the language below means? This guide from the Des Moines Register is helpful. 

Here we go!  

Access to Care 

  • HSB99 (companion: SSB1074) includes anti-copay accumulator language that would require that payments from patient assistance programs be applied towards a patient’s cost-sharing requirements. HSB99 has been reported out of full committee, putting it successfully through the early March funnel. The Alliance for Patient Access and the Iowa Rural Health Association are two organizations supporting this bill. Contact Threase Harms at [email protected].  
  • HF303/SF231 (previously HSB19/SSB1016) would address barriers to care from prior authorization requirements and would establish a prior authorization exemption program. Both bills have passed out of full committee and are successfully through the first funnel. Contact Threase Harms at [email protected]. 
  • SF 197 addresses prescription drug coverage for metastatic cancer. It would require policies, contracts, or plans that allow third-party payment or prepayment of health or medical expenses to include coverage for prescription cancer drugs in their coverage for prescription drugs. This bill has been reported out of subcommittee and must be reported out of a full committee to remain viable past the early March funnel deadline.  
  • SF 272 requires public employers to provide health care benefits that include cancer screening examinations to full-time firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical services providers within the first three years of a person’s employment and every three years thereafter. This bill has not been heard by a subcommittee.  
  • Other access-related bills: HF61 (Disclosure of prices charged), HSB100 (Cost-sharing requirements for supplemental/diagnostic breast exams), SF56 (Right to Try), SF197/HF217 (Insurance coverage for prescription drugs used in metastatic cancer treatment), SSB 1017 (PBM reverse auctions for public employees), SSB 1029 (cost controls for healthcare services). Contact Threase Harms at [email protected]. 

Alcohol  

  • The Alliance of Coalitions for Change (AC4C) is developing a state policy to establish a minimum unit price for low-cost, high-alcohol-content liquor. They report that the affordability of some of the most-consumed hard liquors encourages excessive drinking among young people and others in Iowa. There is strong evidence suggesting that a small price increase on the cheapest hard liquors can significantly reduce alcohol-related deaths and illnesses, including cancer. No bill has been introduced yet. Contact Jennifer Husmann at [email protected].  

Breast Cancer   

  • HF318 (previously HSB100), would address cost-sharing requirements for supplemental and diagnostic breast examinations. This bill has been reported out of committee and is therefore successfully through the first funnel deadline. Susan G. Komen supports this bill. Contact Alimyon Allen at [email protected].  

Cancer Research 

  • SF63 would appropriate $4 million for cancer research ($1.25 million each for basic research, prevention, and pediatric cancer). It has not been heard by a subcommittee.  
  • HF226 would appropriate $15 million to the University of Iowa for cancer research. This bill has not been heard by a subcommittee and seems unlikely to make it through the early March funnel.  
  • In her Condition of the State address, the Governor asked the state legislature to appropriate $1 million for a partnership between Iowa HHS and the University of Iowa College of Public Health to research what is driving Iowa’s high cancer rates. No bill language or number is available yet.  

Medicaid Work and Community Engagement Requirements 

  • Susan G. Komen and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) are among partners watching for details on the governor’s proposed Medicaid community and work engagement requirements. ACS CAN is strongly opposed to these requirements and reports that individuals who have cancer could be locked out of health care coverage by them. Contact Jackie Cale at [email protected].  

Medical Debt 

  • ACS CAN and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) are partnering with lawmakers to introduce legislation that would cap the interest rate on medical debt at 2%. They report that 47% of cancer patients and survivors have incurred medical debt to pay for their cancer care. Medical debt is not chosen debt and cancer survivors should not be penalized for having cancer. No bill number is available yet. Contact Jackie Cale at [email protected] or Danielle Oswald-Thole at [email protected] for information.  

Pesticides  

  • SSB1051 would provide legal protection for pesticide manufacturers in cases claiming their products caused adverse health effects including cancer if the product has a federally approved warning label. View registered groups for and against this bill. The bill has been reported out of subcommittee and must also be reported out of a full committee to remain viable through the first funnel deadline.  

Radon 

  • HF82 would require new single-family or two-family residential construction to include passive radon mitigation systems. This bill has been reported out of a subcommittee. To stay viable after the first funnel deadline on March 7, it will also need to be reported out of a full committee.  
  • HF211 would allow an income tax credit for radon mitigation costs up to $1,000. It has not been heard by a subcommittee.  
  • HF364 would appropriate $20,000 to make radon test kits available for free to homeowners and renters in Iowa. This bill was just introduced on Feb. 12 and has not been heard by a subcommittee.  
  • SF43 would authorize cities to require radon testing for single family residences used as rental properties. It has not been heard by a subcommittee.  
  • HF377 would allow tenants to conduct radon tests in their dwelling units and to get out of leases without financial penalty if radon is detected and not mitigated by the landlord. This bill was just introduced on Feb. 13 and therefore has not been heard by a subcommittee. 

Tanning 

  • HF116 would prohibit people under 18 from using tanning devices. This bill has been reported out of subcommittee and must be reported out of a full committee to survive the March 7 funnel deadline. Rep. Baeth is looking for dermatologists who can educate legislators on the science behind this bill and its potential impact. Email him at [email protected]. 

Tobacco 

  • HSB148 would eliminate the exception under the Smokefree Air Act that allows smoking in casinos. A subcommittee meeting on this bill is scheduled for 2/18/25. 
  • A bill is expected from Sen. Mike Klimmesh that would tax e-cigarettes at a rate comparable to combustible cigarettes. The American Lung Association supports this effort and reports that legislators are open to making the bill language more comprehensive to include more products besides e-cigarettes. Contact Kristina Hamilton at [email protected].  

Vaccination 

  • HF104 (companion bill: SF120) would prevent a minor from being able to consent to receiving a vaccination for a sexually transmitted disease or infection, including HPV. ACS CAN and the Iowa Public Health Association are opposed to this bill. It has passed out of committee, which means it will successfully pass through the first funnel deadline.  

Happy engaging, partners!  

Resources 

The Iowa Cancer Consortium is a non-partisan, non-political organization and does not use state or federal funds to engage in lobbying. Views presented by members and partners during Policy Workgroup meetings and through Consortium communications do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the Iowa Cancer Consortium, its board of directors, staff or membership.