Iowans for Affordable Healthcare

In June we recognize National Cancer Survivors Day, we honor the strength, resilience, and hope of cancer survivors across Iowa and the country. 💛

This year, Iowa took an important step forward by approving $3 million for pediatric cancer research at University of Iowa. Investments in research help bring new treatments, better outcomes, and hope to children and families facing cancer.

We celebrate every survivor, support every family still fighting, and recognize the researchers and healthcare professionals working toward a future with better care and cures.

https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2026-05-27/pediatric-cancer-funding-new-v**e-tax-law

Reynolds signs pediatric cancer funding into law, channeling money from new v**e tax The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital will receive up to $3 million for pediatric cancer research annually, under a bill signed into law Tuesday.

As part of the Rural Listening Project-250, Iowans identified healthcare access and affordability as top concerns and demand a stronger voice in the policies that affect them. That’s why Iowans for Affordable Healthcare exists: to help Iowans share their experiences, engage policymakers, and advocate for more affordable, accessible care. As Kellogg City Council Member Larkin Christy said, "You can only ignore people with small voices for so long until those small voices come together and create one big voice." Sign up and get more involved: https://www.iaahc.com/.

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https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/06/16/economy-healthcare-costs-among-top-concerns-for-rural-iowa-communities/?utm_source=newsletters.iowacapitaldispatch.com&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=economy-health-worry-rural-iowans&_bhlid=32ece729459719a5658daf090dda2e1dca73cc57

Economy, healthcare costs among top concerns for rural Iowa communities • Iowa Capital Dispatch A panel of rural Iowans said Tuesday that a declining rural economy and high cost of healthcare are top concerns as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.

We want to hear from you! What healthcare issue concerns you the most right now?
🔹 Prescription costs
🔹 Medical bills
🔹 Rural healthcare access
🔹 Mental health access
🔹 Insurance premiums
🔹 Provider shortages

Tell us in the comments below.

June is Men’s Health Month. Early care and screenings can prevent more serious—and costly—health problems later. Encourage the men in your life to schedule annual checkups and preventive screenings.

Iowa recently announced more than $78 million in rural healthcare transformation funding to support hospitals and providers across the state. Investments in rural care can help improve access and reduce long-term healthcare costs. https://governor.iowa.gov/press-release/2026-01-30/iowa-first-nation-award-rural-health-transformation-program-funding?utm_source=chatgpt.com.

Iowa first in the nation to award Rural Health Transformation Program funding State announces intent to award $78.6M in federal funds that support Iowa’s Healthy Hometowns Project.

Don't forget to vote in tomorrow's primary election! Lets get candidates that will work to lower healthcare cost for Iowans. Look up your polling place below. https://apps.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx.

Today we remember the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. We honor their sacrifice and hold their families in our thoughts this Memorial Day.

Two more rural clinics just closed in Iowa. Rural Iowa has faced provider shortages, hospital and clinic closures, and a lack of access to care close to home for years. The state just landed a $200M Rural Health Transformation Fund. We’re counting on state leaders to use these funds wisely and advance policies and programs that expand rural health care access before gaps grow wider. https://www.kcrg.com/2026/05/13/river-hills-community-health-center-announces-closure-centerville-clinic/.

River Hills Community Health Center announces closure of Centerville clinic River Hills Community Health Center announced Tuesday it will close its Centerville clinic this summer, the second rural Iowa clinic the organization has shut down in recent weeks.

Waste, fraud and abuse in our healthcare arbitration system: this issue deserves a second post. As reported in national news outlets, some providers are getting payments 600X the normal rate on arbitration cases by misusing the No Surprises Act. The No Surprises Act DID protect patients from surprise bills. But it also created a new problem: a surge in arbitration disputes from doctors' offices that is driving up costs behind the scenes. Legislators estimated around 17,000 cases would go to arbitration; in reality, over 1.2M cases went to arbitration! One such physician who uses this process to his benefit flouted his lavish lifestyle online, posting about the rapper 50 Cent performing at his birthday party, which also featured a reproduction Porsche cake. How much of these windfalls are being passed on to premium payers in Iowa? Good policy can still have unintended consequences—and now it’s time to fix what’s not working to lower healthcare costs!