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HF 807

A bill for an act creating the compassion and care for medically challenging pregnancies Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HHS must publish an online, bilingual (English/Spanish) list and info sheet of perinatal hospice services for pregnancies with lethal fetal anomalies.

Explanation of vote.
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Bill Summary · HF 807

Summary — HF 807: "Compassion and Care for Medically Challenging Pregnancies Act"

Bill number: HF 807 (Amendment H‑1052)
Subject: Perinatal hospice services; medical care related to pregnancies with lethal fetal anomalies
Introduced: March 5, 2025
Current status (from provided record): Passed House (3/24/2025), yeas 95, nays 0; Amendment H‑1052 adopted; further action pending. Explanations of vote recorded 3/25/2025 and 4/22/2025.

Purpose / Intent

The bill directs the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to compile and publish accessible, geographically organized information about perinatal hospice services available in Iowa and nationally. The intent is to ensure pregnant persons who receive a diagnosis of a lethal fetal anomaly have clear information about perinatal hospice as a model of support if they choose to continue the pregnancy.

Key provisions

  • HHS must compile:
    • A geographically organized list of perinatal hospice services available in Iowa and nationally.
    • An information sheet describing available perinatal hospice services.
  • Publication requirements:
    • Post the list and information sheet on the department’s website in both English and Spanish.
    • The website/information sheet must include:
    • A statement that perinatal hospice services are an innovative and compassionate support model for pregnant women informed their baby has a lethal fetal anomaly who choose to continue the pregnancy.
    • A general description of perinatal hospice services.
    • At the request of a listed perinatal hospice provider, that provider’s informational materials and contact information, including whether 24‑hour perinatal hospice services are available.
  • Amendment H‑1052: Adds the phrase inserting “a physician assistant licensed pursuant to chapter 148C” (i.e., expands or clarifies inclusion of physician assistants in the bill’s provider-related language). The precise placement in the statutory text indicates physician assistants are explicitly recognized in the bill’s scope where healthcare providers are enumerated.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: Pregnant persons who receive a diagnosis of a lethal fetal anomaly and choose to continue the pregnancy (and their families).
  • Affected entities:
    • Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (responsible for compiling and publishing resources).
    • Perinatal hospice service providers (may be listed and may request their materials/contact info be posted).
    • Clinicians and care teams (physicians, and per Amendment H‑1052, physician assistants) who counsel patients — they will have an HHS resource to refer patients to.
  • No new licensing, clinical mandates, or direct funding provisions are included in the text provided.

Implementation, timeline, and limitations

  • The bill prescribes publication on HHS’s website in English and Spanish but does not specify funding, deadlines for HHS to complete the list, or enforcement mechanisms in the provided text.
  • The measure is informational and resource‑focused; it does not create new clinical services or required insurance coverage.
  • Procedural history (selected):
    • Introduced 3/5/2025; amendment H‑1052 filed 3/10/2025 and adopted 3/24/2025.
    • Passed the House 3/24/2025 (95–0); messages and committee actions occurred between 3/24 and 4/22/2025, including subcommittee activity and explanations of vote.

Notes

  • The bill positions perinatal hospice as a recognized supportive option but does not alter clinical standards of care or create statutory obligations for providers to offer perinatal hospice services.
  • Review of final enacted language and any appropriations or implementing guidance would be necessary to determine timing and operational details for HHS implementation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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