2026 Legislative Session
Iowa Legislative Action is lead by Katie Emery at Iowa PANS Advocates. Please contact her directly to become involved in legislative advocacy in Iowa.
Please see below for Bill information and Call to Action items.
Fill in the Iowa Contact Form
Share your contact information to receive updates specific to PANS/PANDAS legislative updates in Iowa. Rest assured, your information will not be sold or shared, and you will not be added to ASPIRE’s general mailing list. This is strictly for Iowa-based updates.
Fill in the contact form today: Iowa Form
Sign Up for the ASPIRE Newsletter: Newsletter Form
General Legislative Information
- Legislative Recap – PANS PANDAS Legislation Nationwide
- How Get Started: How to talk to your state representative
- Look Up Your State Representative & State Senator in your district
- ASPIRE Legislative Action Toolkit: Information for Legislators Toolkit
- Legislative Talking Tips
- Legislative Writing Points & Examples: Testimony & Short Form Emails
Current Legislative Efforts
House File 2314
Bill Status & Language: HF 2314
Bill Summary: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for specified pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy.
Sponsor: Rep. Brett Barker
Senate File 242
Bill Status & Language: SF 242
Bill Summary: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for specified pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy.
Subcommittee: Sweeney, Koelker, and Trone Garriott.
Current Call to Action Items
Progress is being made in Iowa but real change happens when legislators hear directly from the families they represent. You don’t need to be an expert in policy or medicine. Legislators speak with constituents every day, and they expect to hear from families about issues affecting their health and access to care. Your lived experience is powerful. Sharing your story helps lawmakers understand what PANS/PANDAS looks like in real life and why action is needed. We’ll guide you every step of the way, and participation is always at your comfort level.
Please follow the three Calls to Action.
** CTA 1 – Fill out the Iowa CONTACT Form
Fill out the form! While Iowa PANS Advocates will announce CTAs on social media, we must be able to reach people more quickly & consistently!
** CTA 2 – Contact Chair Austin Harris
Please email Chair Austin Harris to respectfully request that HF2314 be assigned to a subcommittee. In your message, include a brief overview of how the lack of insurance coverage for PANS/PANDAS has personally impacted you or your family. Focus on the key points outlined in ASPIRE’s talking and writing guidance – talking/writing points.
Example Email:
Dear Chair Harris,
I am writing to respectfully request that HF2314 be assigned to a subcommittee for consideration.
HF2314 addresses insurance coverage for PANS and PANDAS, serious infection-triggered neuroimmune conditions that can cause the sudden onset of severe psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Without clear coverage standards, families are often left fighting for physician-prescribed care, facing delays, denials, and significant financial strain.
In my own experience, the lack of consistent insurance coverage for PANS/PANDAS has had a direct impact on my family. [Insert 2–3 brief sentences about your personal experience — delayed treatment, denied claims, financial hardship, school disruption, hospitalization, etc.] Timely treatment matters, and when coverage is unclear or denied, the consequences can be severe and long-lasting.
The cost of appropriate care is small compared to the cost of inaction. Clear standards help ensure timely treatment, reduce avoidable crises, and protect families from unnecessary hardship.
I respectfully ask that HF2314 be assigned to a subcommittee so it may receive thoughtful review and discussion.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City]
[Your Contact Information]
** CTA 3 – Contact Senator Mike Bousselot
The bill, SF 242, from 2025 year remains active and needs to be reintroduced by Senator Mike Bousselot. SF242, originally sponsored by Senator Sweeney, would establish important insurance protections for patients with PANS and PANDAS. Please respectfully email Senator Bousselot and urge him to bring SF242 back for consideration this session. Focus on the key points outlined in ASPIRE’s talking and writing guidance – talking/writing points.
Legislative Email: mike.bousselot@legis.iowa.gov
Previous Bills
2025
SF242 – Status & Language
Summary: A bill for an act relating to health insurance coverage for specified pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders and postinfectious autoimmune encephalopathy.
2023
SF 288: Status of SF 288
2021
SF 165: Status of Bill SF165
ASPIRE Board and Professional Advisory Board Testimony Letters
- ASPIRE Board of Directors Support Iowa Bill SF165 – SSB1200
- ASPIRE PAB Supports Iowa Bill SF165 – SSB1200
Return to ASPIRE Legislative Resources
Gabriella True
