Health and Fitness : D.C. Dispatch: Iowa delegation discuss measures on maternal health, Medicaid

By Robin Opsahl

Members of Iowa's federal delegation have introduced multiple measures related to health care, weighing in on Medicaid coverage and maternal care options.

Sen. Chuck Grassley and Rep. Ashley Hinson, both Republicans, helped introduced the "More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed" (MOMS) Act in the Senate and House respectively, legislation that they said would help provide more services and support for expecting and new mothers.

The legislation would create a grant system for nonprofit entities that provide support and assistance for prenatal and postpartum care, as well as support during early childhood, with a focus on providing funding for support and equipment for prenatal care options in rural areas, including telehealth options.

Grassley said the measure would help encourage and aid parents both before and after the birth of their child.

"Parenthood is a blessing, and it's critical that women have the support they need during this crucial time," Grassley said in a statement. "Our legislation would expand access for moms looking for resources and services in their area. I'm proud to be pro-life, pro-mother and pro-family."

The proposal is similar to the MOMS program approved by the Iowa Legislature and Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022 that provides funding for maternal care nonprofits that encourage alternatives to abortion. This state program has faced criticism from Democrats and reproductive care advocates who said state money is going to "crisis pregnancy centers," nonprofit entities that some former patients have said shared inaccurate information and misrepresented themselves as licensed medical providers.

Democrats in U.S. Congress have criticized previous attempts to make a federal MOMS program along similar lines, with a group of female Democratic senators saying in a 2024 statement the proposal would encourage pregnant women "to register their pregnancies with the government in order to push them toward anti-abortion propaganda and dangerous crisis pregnancy centers."

The 2025 bill is backed by several anti-abortion groups, including Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the March for Life Action, and the National Right to Life Committee, according to a news release by Grassley on the bill.

Hinson said in a statement that she supported the measure as a way to "save moms and babies and help advance a culture of life of America."

"When a woman finds out she is pregnant, she should be surrounded with resources and support, and feel confident in her access to care," Hinson said. "I'm proud to co-lead the MOMS Act to help more women choose life, have a healthy pregnancy, and create the foundation for strong families."

U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, representing Iowa's 3rd Congressional District, introduced a resolution May 2 that he said will help protect Medicaid and SNAP benefits for some individuals during upcoming budget negotiations.

The proposed "Defending Medicaid and SNAP Resolution" would prohibit consideration of budget reconciliation bills that reduce Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or enrollment for people age 19 or younger, age 65 or older, pregnant women and individuals with disabilities. The rule would apply to budget reconciliation bills and related amendments and reports during the current term of Congress.

Nunn said this provision would help ensure people in the most need of assistance retain access to these public benefit programs while still allowing Congress to "address abuse, reduce improper payments, and enhance program integrity," according to a news release on the proposal.

The Iowa Republican said the bill will provide some protections for Iowans receiving assistance through SNAP and Medicaid, but would allow Republicans to move forward with efforts they say will help address fraud and abuse of these public programs.

In a news release on the resolution, Nunn cited two figures - a Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimate that between $233 billion and $521 billion was lost to fraud in programs including Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, and Social Security between fiscal years 2018 and 2022, and a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of an improper payment rate of 5.09% for Medicaid in fiscal year 2024 - as evidence that there was a need for Congress to address abuse in these systems.

"Every dollar lost to an improper payment or a criminal scamming the system takes resources away from Iowans who need these programs to put food on the table or access healthcare," Nunn said in a statement. "The mission we have in front of us in the budget process is to find and eliminate fraud while protecting benefits for those who deserve them. President Trump has endorsed this vision, and I'm proud to fight for it in Congress."

Nunn, and many other Republicans in Congress, have faced heavy criticism over cuts to federal programs and proposed reductions in federal spending on programs, including Medicaid.

However, Nunn said he supports continuing to provide Medicaid and SNAP for Iowans who are in need. He visited MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines on May 2 and published a video speaking with Drs. Hijinio Carreon and Mustafa Eldadah at the facility. He said he was committed to making sure funding for these programs was being used in a way that "truly helps those most in need - those families, those with urgent need and those who are vulnerable members of our society, from birth through death."

Eldadah, a pediatrician at MercyOne, said he serves many families in the Des Moines metro who would not be able access needed services without Medicaid.

"We have many families that rely on Medicaid as their source of medical coverage, and we appreciate that service," Eldadah said. "And we always feel like those patients cannot be taken care of without that benefit or coverage - so definitely, we appreciate any efforts to maintain that service to our patients."

Nunn said in a statement his conversations with doctors and patients showed "why defending these critical programs is so important, and how my legislation will ensure D.C. cuts do not impact vulnerable Iowans."

However, Democrats criticized Nunn, saying this provision will not prevent cuts for Medicaid and SNAP coverage for Iowans. Justin Chermol, a spokesperson with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, criticized the resolution in light of Nunn's support for Republican budgets.

"If Zach Nunn really wanted to save Medicaid and SNAP, he should have voted 'NO' on the Republican budget that cuts both," Chermol said. "No matter how hard he tries to run away from it, Zach Nunn's vote to rip away health care and take food off the table of working families will cost him his job next year."