Iowa House Passes Bill Raising Disability Income Limits, Restricting WIC Eligibility

Measure faces opposition from Democrats over impact on families and economy

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Iowa House of Representatives has passed a bill that would increase income limits for Iowans with disabilities who rely on Medicaid, but also put restrictions on the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). While the changes to disability benefits were supported across party lines, Democrats argued the WIC provisions would deny food to children and have a negative economic impact.

Why it matters

The bill highlights ongoing debates over balancing support for people with disabilities and restrictions on public assistance programs, particularly around immigration status. The WIC changes are seen by Democrats as harming vulnerable families and the local economy.

The details

House File 2716 would raise the income limit from 250% to 300% of the federal poverty level for Iowans with disabilities to qualify for Medicaid coverage. It would also require the state to use the federal SAVE program to verify immigration or citizenship status when determining eligibility for programs like SNAP, WIC, and Medicaid. Democrats argued this would deny food assistance to children of undocumented immigrants.

  • The Iowa House of Representatives passed the bill on March 10, 2026.
  • The bill now moves to the state Senate for further consideration.

The players

Rep. Angel Ramirez

A Democratic state representative from Cedar Rapids who argued the WIC restrictions would deny food to children.

Rep. Austin Harris

The Republican state representative who introduced and managed the bill, arguing it would allow Iowans with disabilities to 'work without worry'.

Rep. Ross Wilburn

A Democratic state representative from Ames who said the nutrition program restrictions would negatively impact the local economy.

Rep. Rob Johnson

A Democratic state representative from Des Moines who said the bill would strip people of SNAP benefits and cost the state millions.

Rep. Timi Brown-Powers

A Democratic state representative from Waterloo who said the bill's fiscal note showed the legislature was 'jumping the gun'.

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What they’re saying

“It's the difference between a healthy birth and a preventable tragedy. And right now, WIC reaches families regardless of immigration status, because hunger does not know papers.”

— Rep. Angel Ramirez (1630kcjj.com)

“We are here not only stripping people from their SNAP benefits, but we're also costing the state millions of dollars in monthly income.”

— Rep. Rob Johnson (1630kcjj.com)

“We have people who are on welfare who are begging us to let them work more – I think that's a pretty conservative principle. I think that this bill will give them the opportunity, a further opportunity, to contribute to society in the ways that they want to.”

— Rep. Austin Harris (1630kcjj.com)

What’s next

The bill will now move to the Iowa State Senate for further consideration and potential amendments.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing tensions between supporting people with disabilities and restricting access to public assistance programs, particularly around immigration status. The debate reflects broader political divisions over the role of government in providing a social safety net.