This session the legislature passed and Governor Reynolds signed into law House File 2676, the Iowa Make America Healthy Again bill, with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. present for the historic bill signing. This comprehensive measure redirects taxpayer dollars toward genuine improvements in physical and mental health, rather than continuing policies that contribute to lifelong poor health outcomes — especially for children.
Iowa currently ranks 11th in the nation for adult obesity, and one in six Iowa children are obese. These trends drive higher rates of high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
HF 2676 takes practical, common-sense steps to reverse this trajectory:
SNAP Healthy Standards — The bill prohibits the purchase of soda and candy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. A 2016 USDA study showed that 20 cents of every SNAP dollar was spent on sweetened beverages, desserts, salty snacks, candy, and sugar. Taxpayer funds should fight hunger and promote nutrition — not promote poor health and higher long term healthcare costs.
School Nutrition — Schools and vendors are now prohibited from serving breakfast or lunch containing harmful additives such as Blue Dyes 1 and 2, Green Dye 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, Red Dye 40, and Yellow Dyes 5 and 6. This is a critical first step in removing toxins from school lunches.
Technology in Schools — Recognizing the harm excessive screen time causes to attention spans, learning, and mental health, the bill limits K-5 digital instruction to 60 minutes per school day and allows parents to opt their children out entirely. It bans cell phone use during recess — when kids should be active and playing — and requires school districts to review one-to-one device policies for grades 6-12 to determine if additional limits are needed.
Physical Activity and Presidential Fitness Test — The bill adds additional 10 minutes of daily physical activity for kindergarten through 4th grade and requires the Presidential Fitness Test for grades 1-12 once federal guidance is issued. Iowa will now lead the nation in prioritizing children’s physical fitness.
Physician Nutrition Education — Iowa’s medical schools will now be required to incorporate at least 40 hours of coursework on nutrition and metabolic health in order to graduate. The bill also mandates nutrition continuing education for certain physicians and physician associates.
These changes will help shift our medical community toward emphasizing healthy lifestyles rather than relying solely on pharmaceuticals.
HF 2676 represents a bold commitment to prevention, personal responsibility, and a healthier future for Iowa families. One step at a time, Iowa is doing its part in making America healthy again.
Rep. Collins lives in Mediapolis and represents Iowa House District 95, which includes all of Louisa County, and large parts of Des Moines, Henry, and Muscatine Counties. Collins is serving his second term in the Iowa House.
