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HF 913

A bill for an act providing for the continuation of health insurance in certain circumstances for the surviving spouse and each surviving child of employees of the state of Iowa and including retroactive applicability provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa bill allowing surviving spouses and children of state employees to maintain health insurance coverage after employee death, with retroactive provisions, but ultimately withdrawn.

Withdrawn.
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Bill Summary · HF 913

Legislative bill overview

HF 913 would allow surviving spouses and children of deceased Iowa state employees to continue their health insurance coverage beyond typical eligibility windows. The bill includes retroactive applicability provisions, meaning it could apply to families who lost coverage before the law's enactment. The bill was initially approved by committee but was ultimately withdrawn on April 28, 2025.

Why is this important

Health insurance continuity is critical for surviving families during grief and financial hardship following a breadwinner's death. Without continuation provisions, spouses and minor children could face gaps in coverage during vulnerable periods, potentially leading to medical debt or inability to access necessary care. This addresses a practical gap in employee benefits for state workers' dependents.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: The state would bear costs for continuing health insurance for an undetermined number of surviving dependents, with unclear budget implications
  • Scope and duration: The bill's specific details on how long coverage continues and which family members qualify are not outlined, raising questions about fairness and sustainability
  • Retroactive applicability: Applying benefits retroactively could create significant unexpected costs and administrative complexity in identifying and enrolling eligible families from past years

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

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