Iowa’s 2026 legislative session will begin on January 12. During the interim since the 2025 session adjourned, Systems CEO Mona Kenyon has been meeting with key legislators to learn about their priorities and to share SUI’s needs as an agency. On November 21, Representative Hans Wilz met with Mona and members of SUI’s management team in Ottumwa. Representative Wilz currently serves as Chair of the Federal Funds Committee and is also a member of the Health and Human Services Committee.
Unfortunately, Medicaid HCBS providers like SUI did not receive an increase in funding during the last session, and this meeting offered limited optimism for changes in the year ahead. Representative Wilz shared that federal Medicaid funding to the state of Iowa has been reduced by $170 million. With this significant decrease, additional support for providers is unlikely. While SUI expects to continue receiving current payment levels, we are not anticipating rate increases—making it more challenging to pursue important initiatives such as staff wage increases.
There is, however, encouraging movement on one important issue. The “Work Without Worry” bill is gaining renewed momentum. This legislation would remove—or significantly raise—asset limits, allowing the people we support to save more of their earnings without risking their Medicaid eligibility. The Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council is currently leading the “Let Us Work” blitz campaign, seeking to connect with every legislator prior to the start of the session. To learn more about this effort and how you can get involved, please visit their website HERE.
Systems will send legislative update emails throughout the 2026 session to our newsletter subscriber list. If you are not currently subscribed and would like to receive emails from SUI, email here.
