The bill appropriates funds for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for various programs, including veterans' services, aging, disability services, and public health. Key allocations include over $1.6 million for the Department of Veterans Affairs administration, more than $19 million for aging programs, and significant funding for behavioral health and community access services. A notable addition is the establishment of a Veterans Service Organization Grant Program, which will provide grants to organizations assisting veterans with claims, funded through a new Veterans Service Organization Grant Fund that will not revert unencumbered funds at the end of the fiscal year.

Additionally, the bill introduces several administrative changes, including an increase in the personal needs allowance for certain facility residents and a new reimbursement methodology for nursing facilities under Medicaid. It mandates the development of a forecasting formula for nursing facility beds and specifies that appropriated funds for medical assistance shall not be used for abortions unless authorized. The bill also amends various sections of Iowa law to ensure that certain appropriated funds do not revert at the end of the fiscal year, including those for rural psychiatric residencies and community access services. Furthermore, it establishes a closed-loop referral system under the Thrive Iowa program and reallocates funds from the beer and liquor control fund to support substance use treatment and prevention.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 35A.23, 135C.1, 8.33, 123.17, 17A.4, 514I.5, 225D.2, 229.12, 125.2, 125.85, 229.1, 229.16, 229.14, 232.142