Iowans for Affordable Healthcare

10/19/2026

More than 950,000 Americans, including Iowans, are receiving $500 refund checks for fees charged to people who bought ACA Marketplace coverage without premium tax credits, according to the Trump administration. But a one-time refund doesn't solve the larger affordability challenge.

Families continue to face higher costs following the expiration of the enhanced ACA tax credits at the end of 2025. In Iowa, 2026 premiums increased in the ACA marketplace from 12.6% to more than 25% after the enhanced tax credits expired. Notably, Rep. Nunn was one of 17 House Republicans who joined every House Democrat in voting to extend the credits for three years, but the proposal ultimately failed.

At Iowans for Affordable Healthcare, we believe the focus should remain on lowering the cost of coverage, expanding consumer choice and making quality healthcare more affordable for Iowa families.

10/14/2026

From October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries can review and change their Medicare health and prescription drug coverage for 2027. Plans can change their premiums, benefits, covered prescriptions and provider networks from year to year.

Take the time to review your options and make sure your coverage still meets your healthcare needs and budget.

https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/medicare-open-enrollment-partner-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com

10/12/2026

The Iowa Board of Regents is creating a task force to review billing practices at Mission Cancer + Blood following concerns about higher charges for routine clinic services. The task force will examine billing and facility fees. Patients should be able to understand what their care will cost and why, especially during cancer treatment.

Iowans for Affordable Healthcare will continue fighting for greater cost transparency and more affordable and accessible healthcare in Iowa.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2026/09/18/uihc-task-force-to-review-mission-cancer-blood-billing-iowa-regents/91799741007/

UI Health Care will study billing at Mission Cancer + Blood clinics after reports of high hospital fees for patients.

10/05/2026

New research from the University of Iowa College of Public Health and Iowa HHS examined factors contributing to Iowa's higher cancer rates. Researchers found that selected demographic and behavioral risk factors accounted for approximately 76% of Iowa's excess cancer burden across five of the state's most common cancers.

Prevention, early detection, and access to care all matter when it comes to improving health outcomes, and keeping people healthier can also help reduce the costs associated with serious illness.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/09/29/researchers-say-demographics-behavioral-risks-account-for-much-of-iowas-high-cancer-rates/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Iowa HHS and UI officials shared more about research into factors driving high cancer rates in Iowa.

10/01/2026

Understanding your health insurance, medical bills, treatment options, and prescription costs shouldn't require a degree in healthcare. Health literacy means having the information and confidence to make informed decisions about your health. Clear information helps patients ask better questions, understand their options and make decisions that work for their families. At Iowans for Affordable Healthcare, we believe consumers should have access to understandable information about the care they receive, including what it will cost. Learn more about IAAHC: https://www.iaahc.com/.

09/17/2026

IAAHC Executive Director Phil Jeneary was interviewed in a Des Moines Register article on escalating healthcare fees following UI Health Care’s acquisition of Mission Cancer + Blood. One patient saw a monthly treatment bill jump from about $7,400 to $18,000 after billing shifted to UI Health Care, highlighting the impact of hospital facility fees. Phil said IAAHC is working on 2027 legislation requiring hospitals to disclose these fees and exploring restrictions on outpatient and telehealth facility fees. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2026/09/15/iowa-lawmakers-uihc-ui-health-care-cancer-clinic-fee-hikes/91676668007/. You can also find the story on our IAAHC website: https://www.iaahc.com/post/iaahc-s-phil-jeneary-calls-for-facility-fee-restrictions-in-des-moines-register-story-about-mission

Register's Reader Watchdog columns on UIHC cancer clinic fee hikes are drawing attention, possible legislation from Iowa lawmakers.

09/02/2026

What happens when healthcare consolidation drives up the cost of care? Just ask Iowa cancer patients. A new two-part series in the Des Moines Register found that after UI Health Care acquired Mission Cancer + Blood:

💰 One patient’s cost for routine cancer care jumped from $140 to more than $740.
💰 Another patient saw a $67 copay become more than $994 for blood work and an office visit.
📈 Research found physician prices increased 15.1% after practices were acquired by hospitals, without a corresponding increase in quality.

And in many cases, **facility fees** add even more to patients’ bills. Healthcare consolidation shouldn’t mean higher costs for the people who need care most.

Iowans deserve affordable, accessible healthcare, without surprise fees and unnecessary costs.

[Des Moines Register, Paywall] https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/iowa/2026/08/31/mission-cancer-buyout-uihc-hospital-costs/91048424007/

[Des Moines Register, Paywall] https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2026/09/01/mission-cancer-sale-uihc-university-of-iowa-health-care-doctors/91298262007/

More and more oncology clinics like Mission Cancer + Blood in Des Moines are being snapped up by hospitals, and it's sharply raising costs.

08/31/2026

Iowa’s healthcare workforce needs more people, and that starts with creating more pathways into healthcare careers. A new UI–Midwestern University partnership will give qualifying UI students guaranteed interviews and for those who meet specified academic criteria, guaranteed acceptance into graduate healthcare programs. Programs include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry and more. More pathways mean more access to healthcare professionals serving Iowa patients.

A win for Iowa.

https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2026/08/26/university-of-iowa-partnership-to-expand-healthcare-education-pathways/?_bhlid=0d95552def38be302274b8e198bf49cffba4a6c6

The University of Iowa and Midwestern University have partnered to offer qualified UI students guaranteed interviews to certain programs.

08/27/2026

Beyond the music, she was known for her philanthropy, and her support of children’s hospitals, medical research, and community health services touched countless lives. RIP Dolly Parton.

08/16/2026

ACA Marketplace premiums are expected to rise in 2027. The loss of premium tax credits since December 2025 is clearly a key driver, but rising healthcare and prescription costs also play a role. At IAAHC, we've always said that higher premiums are symptoms of a system that continues to become more expensive. IAAHC is researching affordability factors in Iowa and the root causes of rising costs.

Iowa health insurance companies are proposing another round of premium increases for Affordable Care Act customers in 2027.