On Tuesday, Representative Helena Hayes, New Sharon (R-88) voted in favor of House File 2676, a bill that aims to improve the health and well-being of Iowans.
“Living a healthy lifestyle is something I value personally” says Hayes, “and it is something I try to prioritize in my own life. I also believe our policies should encourage Iowans to make healthier choices including those small daily choices, whether through diet, exercise, or time outdoors, that support long-term health and well-being.”
The legislation comes as Iowa faces a mounting health crisis. According to the latest America’s Health Rankings report:
- Iowa ranks 11th highest for adult obesity
- 70.7% of Iowans are obese or overweigh
- We have the 6th highest rate of excessive drinking
- We rank 43rd out of 50 states for exercise
- We sit in the bottom half for fruit and vegetable consumption, at 31st
- Reports of frequent mental distress have risen by 71%
- Suicide rates have increased by 26% over the last decade
- Iowa has the 2nd highest cancer rate in the country
To combat these rankings, HF 2676 implements several key reforms, including:
- Creating a new requirement for nutrition education for certain health care professionals through continuing education and during medical school, so doctors are just as equipped to prescribe patients with healthy lifestyle choices as they are to prescribe pharmaceuticals.
- Ensuring the SNAP and summer EBT Programs dollars can only be spent on healthy foods, not sugary pop and candy.
- Allowing pharmacists to distribute ivermectin for human consumption over-the-counter if they choose, giving Iowans safer access to this treatment if they desire it.
These provisions of the bill will help improve the physical and mental health of Iowa children:
- Prohibit schools from serving food and beverages with harmful dyes and chemicals.
- Set common-sense limits on screentime during school by limiting digital instruction in grades K-5 to 60 minutes per school day.
- Boost weekly physical education to 120 minutes for all grade levels.
- Ensure student participation in at least one extra curricular activity, with waiver options for jobs and activities not sanctioned by the school.
- Require education standards to include instruction on nutrition to emphasize the importance of animal-based protein, dairy, vegetables and fruit.
- Direct the Department of Education and the Department of Agriculture to work together to adopt updated school nutrition guidelines that align with the state’s dietary recommendations and consider Iowa’s agricultural resources.
HF 2676 passed the House with a vote of 65-30. It now heads to the Senate for their consideration.
