Representative Gary Mohr (R-Bettendorf) spoke with reporters in the House Chamber this morning on his bill to make retirement income in Iowa tax-free. 

Iowa Republicans have laid out plans to improve access to mental health care in Iowa.

Republican lawmaker Ann Meyer told reporters Tuesday morning that expanding mental health care is her top priority and she said that is especially important when some hospitals aren’t giving treatment to the patients who need it most.

Mental health care workers and patients would be in line for assistance under a package of bills introduced by state lawmakers.

Iowa House Republicans have introduced four bills that would aim to add more mental health beds at state-run mental health facilities, establish more psychiatric residencies in the state, and create a loan repayment program for mental health care workers.

Expanding access to mental health care is the objective of four bills recently introduced by state Rep. Ann Meyer.

Some of those bills aim to expand that access by increasing the ranks of mental health professionals like psychiatrists.

“I will not stop working to increase access to mental health care until every Iowan has the access to the quality care they deserve,” the Fort Dodge Republican said.

Representative Ann Meyer (R-Fort Dodge) introduced a series of bills in the very first week of the 2022 Legislative Session to expand access to mental health care in Iowa. 

"I have heard from members of my community, law enforcement, and health care providers about the need for treatment locations to place difficult patients and for additional mental health providers throughout the state," said Meyer. "I will not stop working to increase access to mental health care until every Iowan has the access to the quality care they deserve."