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SF 484

A bill for an act relating to Hawki coverage for applied behavior analysis services including a state plan amendment waiver for the children’s health insurance program.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Janet Petersen

SF 484 expands Iowa's Hawki children's health insurance to cover applied behavior analysis services for autism and behavioral health conditions.

Subcommittee: Klimesh, Costello, and Petersen.
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Bill Summary · SF 484

Legislative bill overview

SF 484 proposes expanding Hawki (Iowa's Children's Health Insurance Program) coverage to include applied behavior analysis (ABA) services for eligible children. The bill requires a state plan amendment and waiver request to the federal government to implement this coverage expansion, which would make ABA services accessible to more Iowa children through the public insurance program.

Why is this important

ABA is a widely-recognized evidence-based treatment for autism spectrum disorder and other behavioral health conditions, but it can be prohibitively expensive for families without insurance coverage. This expansion would reduce financial barriers to treatment for low-to-moderate income Iowa families while potentially reducing state and federal healthcare costs through early intervention.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Expanding Hawki coverage increases state and federal spending; fiscal impact depends on utilization rates and service intensity
  • Provider capacity: Iowa may lack sufficient ABA-certified providers to meet increased demand, potentially creating access delays despite coverage expansion
  • Scope definition: Questions remain about which specific ABA services, age ranges, and medical conditions would be covered under the expansion

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

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