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SF 501

A bill for an act relating to medical assistance program and Hawki program coverage for standard fertility preservation services.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Janet Petersen

Iowa bill expands Medicaid and HAWK-I coverage to include fertility preservation services like egg/sperm freezing for eligible low-income individuals.

Subcommittee: Klimesh, Costello, and Petersen.
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Bill Summary · SF 501

Legislative bill overview

SF 501 would expand Iowa's Medicaid (medical assistance) and HAWK-I (hawk-i is Iowa's children's health insurance program) coverage to include standard fertility preservation services. This means eligible low-income individuals and children could access egg freezing, sperm freezing, and embryo preservation through these state health programs before undergoing medical treatments that might affect fertility.

Why is this important

Fertility preservation allows individuals—particularly cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation—to retain reproductive options after treatment. Currently, these services are often expensive and out of reach for uninsured or underinsured Iowans, creating equity gaps in reproductive autonomy based on income. Expanding coverage could significantly improve access for vulnerable populations.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and budget impact: Fertility preservation services can be expensive; fiscal analysis of program expansion costs hasn't yet been detailed in public records
  • Definition of "standard" services: The bill uses "standard fertility preservation services" but specific procedures covered, age limits, and medical necessity criteria may need clarification
  • Moral and ideological concerns: Some may object to state funding for fertility-related services on religious or philosophical grounds regarding reproduction and healthcare priorities

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

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