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Iowa House OKs tax hike on private health insurance to fund Medicaid

The tax increase aims to cover a $90.6 million Medicaid shortfall and unlock $124 million in federal funds, with a 3.5% premium tax on health maintenance organizations.

  • House File 2739 passed the Iowa House 53-40, raising the HMO premium tax from 0.925% to 3.5% for Jan. 1–Sept. 30, 2026.
  • To cover projected shortfalls, the bill would transfer nearly $350 million from the Taxpayer Relief Fund and $89 million from the general fund, as reported by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services.
  • At public hearings on March 18, 2026, insurers warned that a $24.2 million retroactive tax would increase costs for nearly 1.6 million Iowans, with Wellmark stating it could withdraw from all Iowa insurance lines.
  • The Iowa House passes a narrow bill, with nine Republicans dissenting, moving to the Senate where discussions are ongoing, including potential changes, according to Senate Republicans.
  • Forecasts show that the state's Medicaid shortfalls could grow, with lawmakers citing a $300 million deficit and discussing long-term fiscal challenges, as stated by State Sen. Mike Klimesh.
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Iowa House OKs tax hike on private health insurance to fund Medicaid

·Des Moines, United States
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Iowa House passes bill to raise premium tax on HMOs to fill Medicaid shortfall

The Iowa House passed a bill Thursday retroactively bumping the premium tax rate for health maintenance organizations to make up for a Medicaid budget shortfall — a move Democrats and insurers said would raise health care costs for all Iowans but Republicans argued was needed to draw down federal funding.

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Radio Iowa broke the news in on Thursday, March 19, 2026.
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