Iowa Hospital Association

05/29/2026

We’re grateful to Iowa legislators, especially Rep. Michael Bergan and Sen. Mark Costello, for their leadership in helping to remove barriers that prevented patients and families from accessing compassionate end-of-life care. Hear from HPCAI member Sara Krieger, CEO of Iowa City Hospice, and Dr. Dustin Arnold, Chief Medical Officer at IHA member UnityPoint St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, as they discuss the importance of this legislation.

Starting in July, a close adult friend can make end-of-medical decisions for someone who is unable to make them themselves under a new Iowa state law

05/13/2026

Governor Kim Reynolds has signed HF 2635, the Patients First insurance reform bill championed by the Iowa Hospital Association. This new law helps put patients first by reducing administrative delays, strengthening clinical review standards, reforming prior-authorization requirements and improving accountability for insurers. The bill passed unanimously and reflects strong bipartisan support for practical reforms that improve access to timely, affordable, high-quality care for Iowans. We’re grateful to Gov. Reynolds, bill sponsors Reps. Austin Harris and David Young, and Sen. Kara Warme, and the many lawmakers, hospital leaders and providers who helped advance these patient-centered reforms. By cutting red tape and supporting more clinically informed decisions, HF 2635 will help hospitals and providers spend more time focused on care — and less on paperwork.

05/12/2026

During National Hospital Week, the Iowa Hospital Association is honored to celebrate the incredible hospitals, health systems, employees and volunteers across Iowa who provide hope and healing every day. Your dedication and compassion have a profound impact on the lives of countless patients. Thank you for your commitment to excellence in healthcare. We are proud to support your teams and appreciate all that you do. Together, we continue to make Iowa a healthier and happier place to live. Enjoy this special week of recognition and celebration!

05/11/2026

The Iowa Hospital Association is grateful to Senator Chuck Grassley for visiting UnityPoint Health - Grinnell Regional Medical Center and for his continued concern for Iowa hospitals and rural communities. The visit was an important opportunity to discuss priorities affecting rural health care – especially strengthening the workforce – and the need for sustainable federal policies that reflect the unique realities of rural providers. Thank you, Sen. Grassley, for your advocacy and for taking the time to hear directly from one of our member hospitals.

05/06/2026

Celebrating Iowa nurses: The power of nurses
National Nurses Week begins today and continues through Tuesday, May 12. The Iowa Hospital Association is proud to recognize the incredible contributions of nurses across our state – and to acknowledge the challenges they navigate every day.

In a constantly evolving health care environment, Iowa nurses remain beacons of compassion and resilience, supporting patients, families and communities statewide. From urban hospitals to rural clinics, their commitment to excellence helps ensure the highest standards of care for all.

This week, we offer our heartfelt gratitude to Iowa’s nurses. Your skill, dedication and compassion inspire us all. Thank you for being your communities’ unsung heroes of healing.

04/29/2026

The Iowa Hospital Association thanks executive staff from member hospitals in District B for attending yesterday’s meeting in Waverly at Waverly Health Center. Besides presenting information about specific programs and initiatives IHA is working on for our membership, the meeting was a valuable collaborative peer-to-peer event for sharing ideas and experiences.

04/28/2026

🎉 Congratulations, April 2025 Nurse Residents! 🎉

A few weeks ago, our AMAZING April 2025 Nurse Residents completed their first-year Nurse Residency Program presentations, and we could not be more proud! 💙

Over the past year, these nurses have worked incredibly hard, grown in confidence and skill, and made a meaningful impact on countless patients. Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to excellence have not gone unnoticed, and their contributions to MGMC are truly valued.

Please join us in congratulating this outstanding group on their successful transition to practice. We can’t wait to see all that you continue to accomplish! 🌟

04/24/2026

This week, nearly two dozen Iowa hospital and health system leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to attend the American Hospital Association Annual Meeting and meet with members of Iowa’s congressional delegation. During congressional meetings, leaders:
• Thanked lawmakers for their leadership and collaboration on the Rural Health Transformation Program, and shared suggestions to strengthen the program’s impact
• Emphasized the need for continued federal partnership so rural hospitals can keep meeting the evolving needs of their communities
• Urged an extension of “grandfathered” status for Iowa’s Medicaid state-directed payment program beyond the current timeline
Extending the grandfather status would help protect hospitals’ financial stability, expand access to care across Iowa, and ensure continuity as Congress considers long-term Medicaid policy.

04/22/2026

Proud to share that the Iowa Hospital Education and Research Foundation — a nonprofit subsidiary of the Iowa Hospital Association — has awarded $314,000 in scholarships to 127 Iowa students pursuing careers in health care. Established in 2005, the Health Care Careers Scholarship Program helps address workforce shortages by encouraging Iowa students to pursue health care-related fields of study. Since the program began, it has supported nearly 1,100 students and awarded approximately $3.3 million in scholarships. Applications for 2027 scholarships open Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. Learn more at iherf.org.

03/30/2026

Happy National Doctors’ Day! Today, the Iowa Hospital Association proudly honors the dedication, compassion, and ability of physicians statewide. Thank you to all the doctors who go above and beyond every day to provide exceptional care and improve the health of our communities. Your commitment inspires us all.