91st General Assembly · Funnel one-pager · Monday, November 9, 2026

SF 255: Relating to the personal needs allowance under the medical assistance program

Became SF 476 · Its progress continues under the new number.

What it does

This bill relates to the personal needs allowance under the medical assistance program. The personal needs allowance covers a person’s personal expenses not covered by the medical assistance program. Current law provides that a person who is a resident of a nursing facility, an intermediate care facility for persons with an intellectual disability or mental illness, or a psychiatric medical institution for children may retain a personal needs allowance of $50 per month. A resident who has an income of less than $50 dollars per month shall receive a supplement from the state to receive a personal needs allowance of $50 per month.

Cost

See the fiscal note

6 million in FY 2026 and the same amount in FY 2027. 1 million of the total cost in FY 2026 and the same amount in FY 2027. Source Department of Health and Human Services /s/ Jennifer Acton March 24, 2025 Doc ID 1524980 The fiscal note for this Bill was prepar…

Senate subcommittee · named February 18, 2025

Sen. Kevin Alons (R) · kevin.alons@legis.iowa.gov
Sen. Claire Celsi (D)
Sen. David D. Rowley (R) · david.rowley@legis.iowa.gov

Lobbying · 9 for, 0 against

For: AARP Iowa; Disability Rights Iowa; Iowa Association of Community Providers; Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council; Iowa Integrated Health Planning and Advisory Council; Iowa Mental Health Advocacy; Iowa State Bar Association; LeadingAge Iowa; State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

In plain words

February 11, 2025Filed in the Senate and sent to the Health and Human Services committee
February 18, 2025Senate subcommittee named: Alons, Celsi and Rowley
February 24, 2025Subcommittee recommended passing it
March 3, 2025Approved by the Senate committee, and given a new number: SF 476