Iowa Advances Bill Allowing Over-the-Counter Ivermectin, Restricting SNAP

Legislation also codifies waivers for federal nutrition programs and bans certain food dyes in school meals.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Iowa House has advanced a sweeping healthcare bill proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds that includes provisions to allow over-the-counter sales of the drug ivermectin and codify waivers to align federal nutrition programs like SNAP and Summer EBT with the state's 'Healthy SNAP' program, which restricts what items recipients can purchase. The bill has faced pushback from nutrition access advocates concerned about potential impacts on federal funding.

Why it matters

The bill's SNAP and Summer EBT waiver provisions could limit low-income Iowans' access to certain foods, while the over-the-counter ivermectin allowance goes against FDA guidance that the drug is ineffective and unsafe for treating COVID-19. The legislation is part of Reynolds' efforts to solidify her policy priorities before leaving office.

The details

The bill, House Study Bill 694, was advanced by a 2-1 vote in a House subcommittee. It would codify waivers aligning federal nutrition programs with Iowa's 'Healthy SNAP' initiative, which restricts the use of SNAP and Summer EBT benefits for certain grocery items like soda and sweets. Nutrition advocates argued this could jeopardize federal funding if the state's program doesn't align with future federal plans. The bill would also allow pharmacists to dispense ivermectin over-the-counter, despite the FDA's warnings about the drug's ineffectiveness and safety risks for treating COVID-19.

  • The bill was advanced by an Iowa House subcommittee on February 12, 2026.
  • Iowa's 'Healthy SNAP' program restrictions took effect on January 1, 2026.

The players

Kim Reynolds

The Governor of Iowa who proposed the sweeping healthcare legislation that includes the SNAP restrictions and over-the-counter ivermectin provisions.

Austin Harris

Republican member of the Iowa House who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee and plans to strip out portions of the bill related to taxes on tobacco, hemp, and vape products.

Austin Baeth

Democratic member of the Iowa House who is also a physician, and called the bill's ivermectin section "misguided."

Luke Elzinga

Representative of the Iowa Hunger Coalition who expressed concerns that the SNAP waiver codification could jeopardize federal nutrition program funding.

Marc Craig

An Iowan who participates in the EBT program and said the recently implemented 'Healthy SNAP' restrictions have made grocery shopping significantly more difficult.

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What they’re saying

“If the USDA doesn't go along with it, this bill threatens to pull the state out of SNAP and Summer EBT altogether.”

— Luke Elzinga, with the Iowa Hunger Coalition (thegazette.com)

“It's a very serious bill to help make Iowa healthier, and I'm not sure what ivermectin has to do with it. That particular division, which makes ivermectin over-the-counter, kind of reduces the seriousness of this bill, because there is no FDA-approved reason for ivermectin unless you have parasites.”

— Austin Baeth, Democratic Representative and Physician (thegazette.com)

“I can go to Walmart and get a sub that has a mayo, mustard packet, but I can't buy a ham and cheese at Hy-Vee. When I get into a grocery store, I want to get in, get out, because of the noise. A five-minute trip has turned into an hour looking at every ingredient on everything.”

— Marc Craig, EBT Program Participant (thegazette.com)

What’s next

The bill will next be considered by the full Iowa House, where Republican leaders have indicated support for the ivermectin provision.

The takeaway

This legislation highlights the ongoing tensions between state-level efforts to restrict social safety net programs and federal nutrition assistance, as well as the continued push by some lawmakers to promote unproven and potentially unsafe drugs like ivermectin despite scientific consensus.