This bill introduces work requirements for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan (IHAWP) as a condition for maintaining eligibility. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with requesting federal approval to implement these requirements, which mandate that members work at least 80 hours per month. Certain exemptions are established for individuals under 19, over 65, disabled, medically frail, caretakers of young children, pregnant with high-risk pregnancies, receiving unemployment compensation, participating in substance use disorder treatment, or otherwise exempt for good cause. The bill also stipulates that any exemptions under IHAWP should align closely with those in other public assistance programs.

Additionally, the bill creates an information technology fund under HHS for modernization initiatives, repeals the existing public assistance modernization fund, and transfers any remaining funds to the new IT fund by June 30, 2025. It also amends the Medicaid for Employed People with Disabilities (MEPD) program to allow a maximum of $10,000 in available resources to be disregarded for individuals and $21,000 for couples when determining eligibility. The bill emphasizes the need for alignment of work rules across public assistance programs and takes effect immediately upon enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 8.33, 249A.3