Iowa House Republicans have passed three pieces of legislation that deal with mental health care this session. 

House District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen says they have passed House File 2529 that appropriates funding for 12 new psychiatry residencies at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and prioritizes Iowans in the application process. The second bill is House File 2549 which creates a mental health practitioner loan repayment program for Iowans that agree to practice in Iowa for at least five years. Finally, House File 2546 ensures Medicaid to establish a rate for psychiatric intensive care in Iowa. Sorensen says currently Iowa ranks 44th for physiatrists per capita and increasing access to mental health care is a huge priority. 

“ Now, there’s not as much stigma surrounding it as maybe there has been in the past. So it’s making sure that we are moving forward and that (state) government is providing the right incentives and laws.”

House File 2546 and 2529 passed with a unanimous vote along with House File 2549 that passed 49-2. These bills are now on the Senate floor for a vote.