Iowa House approves $1.94 billion for health, human services

DES MOINES — The Iowa House approved nearly $2 billion from the state general fund that — when coupled with federal funds — will direct more than $5 billion to state health and human services.

On a party-line vote, 54-44, majority Republicans approved $1.94 billion to fund the state’s Departments of Aging, Public Health, Human Services and Veterans Affairs and the Iowa Veterans Home. That’s an increase of $30 million from the current fiscal year.

House File 766 will support 4,605 full-time equivalent jobs in those departments, an increase of 254 from the current fiscal year.

The budget will “fund the neediest Iowans’ needs,” said Rep. Joel Fry, R-Osceola, chairman of the House Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

Read more: https://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowa-house-approves-194-billion-for-health-human-services-democrats-opposed-but-find-thing-to-like-2020-20190411