HF 708: Relating to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders

What it does

This bill relates to health care decisions related to palliative care, hospice programs, life-sustaining procedures, and out-of-hospital do-not-resuscitate orders. Current law requires a hospice program to provide palliative care in order to be eligible for a license. The bill removes this requirement and requires a hospice program to provide care directed at symptom management to be eligible to receive a license. Under the bill, if a patient who has a terminal condition, and is comatose, incompetent, or incapable of communication, and has not expressed their desire regarding palliative care or a hospice program, certain individuals in order of priority have the authority to make the decision to place the patient in a hospice program.

House subcommittee · named January 12, 2026

• Rep. Michael R. Bergan (R) · michael.bergan@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Timi M. Brown-Powers (D) · timi.brown-powers@legis.iowa.gov
• Rep. Thomas M. Jeneary (R) · tom.jeneary@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 9 for, 1 against

For: Blank Childrens Hospital; EveryStep; Hospice and Palliative Care Association; Iowa Affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives; Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Iowa Chapter-American Academy of Pediatrics; Iowa Hospital Association; Iowa Medical Society; Iowa Nurse Practitioners Society

Against: Disability Rights Iowa

In plain words

1. March 3, 2025Filed in the House and sent to the Health and Human Services committee
2. January 12, 2026House subcommittee named: Bergan, Brown-Powers and Jeneary
3. January 29, 2026Subcommittee recommended passing it with changes
4. February 3, 2026Approved by the House committee
5. February 6, 2026Approved by the House committee, and given a new number: HF 2305
6. March 9, 2026Withdrawn