Iowans for Affordable Healthcare

08/31/2026

Iowa’s healthcare workforce needs more people, and that starts with creating more pathways into healthcare careers. A new UI–Midwestern University partnership will give qualifying UI students guaranteed interviews and for those who meet specified academic criteria, guaranteed acceptance into graduate healthcare programs. Programs include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and more. More pathways mean more access to healthcare professionals serving Iowa patients.

A win for Iowa.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/08/26/university-of-iowa-partnership-to-expand-healthcare-education-pathways/?_bhlid=0d95552def38be302274b8e198bf49cffba4a6c6

The University of Iowa and Midwestern University have partnered to offer qualified UI students guaranteed interviews to certain programs.

08/27/2026

Beyond the music, she was known for her philanthropy, and her support of children’s hospitals, medical research, and community health services touched countless lives. RIP Dolly Parton.

08/16/2026

ACA Marketplace premiums are expected to rise in 2027. The loss of premium tax credits since December 2025 is clearly a key driver, but rising healthcare and prescription costs also play a role. At IAAHC, we've always said that higher premiums are symptoms of a system that continues to become more expensive. IAAHC is researching affordability factors in Iowa and the root causes of rising costs.

Iowa health insurance companies are proposing another round of premium increases for Affordable Care Act customers in 2027.

08/11/2026

While Iowans may feel the strain of recent rising healthcare costs, overall the state was ranked 3rd Best for Healthcare, according to WalletHub analysts. It says a lot that 93% of adults and 97% of children in Iowa have health insurance. What factors contribute to this ranking, and how can Iowa build on these strengths to keep costs down? IAAHC will explore the answers to these questions so we can ensure our state maintains affordable, high-quality care.

https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-healthcare/23457

Find information, resources and relevant links for healthcare.it. This domain may be for sale.

08/06/2026

Nearly half of all US states (21) have enacted laws that address facility fees. Iowa is not one of them, but interest is growing. Recently, Governor Reynolds highlighted how facility fees charged by UI Health Care can significantly increase the cost of care. Eliminating unnecessary facility fees would improve transparency, lower healthcare costs, and protect Iowa families. IAAHC has been advocating to state legislators on this issue since early this year and we will continue until Iowans are protected from this practice. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2026/07/20/iowa-governor-urges-university-cancer-clinic-to-lower-hiked-fees/90962315007/

Gov. Kim Reynolds says University of Iowa Health Care must make "high-quality cancer care as accessible and affordable as possible."

08/03/2026

This week is National Health Center Week!

Community health centers play a critical role in providing affordable, accessible healthcare to patients in rural and underserved communities across Iowa. Thank you to the physicians, nurses, staff, and volunteers who keep Iowans healthy every day.

07/27/2026

NPR and KFF Health News are looking at what it really costs to give birth in the U.S., including unexpected expenses even for families who planned ahead. Share your experience here: https://kffhealthnews.org/health-care-helpline-share-your-story/

https://www.kosu.org/news/2026-07-03/just-gave-birth-or-are-about-to-share-your-story-and-questions-about-costs

07/21/2026

We want to hear from you. Have rising health care costs affected your family? Have you struggled to find price information before receiving care? Your experiences help inform our advocacy and highlight why health care affordability matters.

Share your story in the comments or send us a message.

https://www.iaahc.com/share-your-story

07/17/2026

Iowa recently secured nearly $50M in federal funding to expand Graduate Medical Education residency slots, creating more in-state training opportunities. Physicians often stay where they train. Expanding the workforce is key to improving access, especially in rural areas with provider shortages!



https://www.kcrg.com/2026/06/18/gov-reynolds-iowa-hhs-announce-graduate-medical-education-expansion/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSqQL9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFQcjRnclBZOGFadzlrRGlDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHinFx8B5sj2U3h-nWEEP1IyFjopMOblf_bUDZcFIUD4_sehc6Lm2H7t9fztV_aem_aXHaUaRZfN9j0MNN_-Ik3Q

A nearly $50 million expansion of Iowa’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) has been federally approved, Governor Reynolds and Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) announced.

07/13/2026

The Trump Administration recently warned hundreds of hospitals—including four in Iowa—to improve compliance with federal price transparency rules. IAAHC has long supported transparency so patients are not forced to navigate care costs in the dark.

Knowing prices in advance helps families compare options, avoid surprise bills, and make informed decisions.

Transparency is a patient issue, not a partisan one.



https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/trump-administration-warns-hundreds-of-hospitals-to-increase-price-transparency-or-face-fines

The Trump administration has warned more than 500 hospitals that they are failing to provide the public with basic pricing information — arguing that the lack of disclosure is keeping healthcare costs higher than they should be.