ABOUT IOWANS for AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE
Rising costs are impacting Iowans everywhere, hitting our household budgets, farms, and businesses hard. Healthcare costs are a major part of the problem. These costs keep going up for many reasons, including pricing abuses by big pharmaceutical companies, hidden fees from hospital mergers, and unfunded government mandates that leave us paying the bill. Health insurance premiums alone have increased 67% for Iowans since 2009. Together, these costs are starting to exceed what Iowa families and small businesses can afford.​
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The Impact
Since launching in November 2024, Iowans for Affordable Healthcare (IAAHC) has built a strong evidence-based advocacy platform focused on making healthcare more affordable and accessible for Iowa families.
Understanding What Iowans Need
One of our first actions was commissioning a statewide opinion poll to assess Iowans' priorities on healthcare costs and access. The results revealed widespread frustration with rising costs—more than 60% of Iowans experienced higher healthcare costs—and a perceived lack of action by state lawmakers. Affordability is the top concern across multiple healthcare issues. A majority (57%) oppose policies that increase their health insurance premiums.
Advocating for Consumers
IAAHC represents healthcare consumers through committee testimony, meetings with legislators, media interviews, and public outreach. Our recent work includes:
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Media advocacy: Advancing healthcare affordability goals through Iowa's News Now (CBS2 & Fox28) and urging lawmakers via KCRG News to extend ACA premium tax credits to prevent coverage losses and higher premiums.
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Legislative engagement: Working directly with lawmakers on facility fee reform and price transparency efforts to protect consumers from hidden medical fees and inflated costs.
A recent example of this advocacy in action: During a House subcommittee hearing, Executive Director Phil Jeneary testified in strong support of the Patient's Right to Save Act (SF 319), citing IAAHC polling data and the real financial strain facing Iowa families. SF 319 would increase transparency around discounted cash prices for medical procedures—accessible to both insured and uninsured patients—thereby encouraging competition in the healthcare marketplace. Jeneary pushed back against what he described as selective transparency supported by payors and providers, stating: "What about the patients? I have not heard them mentioned once."
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Our Mission
IAAHC is an independent, nonpartisan voice for families and businesses. We advocate for responsible policies that promote affordability and accessibility, while opposing policies that make healthcare in Iowa unaffordable.
We fight to:
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stop rising healthcare costs
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hold special interests accountable, and
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bring transparency to medical billing so Iowans can compare prices
Our state deserves better, and we're here to make sure Iowa voices are heard.
Meet the IAAHC Executive Director, Phil Jeneary
Phil Jeneary is deeply rooted in Iowa as both a resident and an advocate, bringing over a decade of legislative experience within the state. With a respected and trusted presence at the Capitol, he has been a strong voice for critical issues impacting Iowans in areas such as K–12 education and healthcare, driven by a commitment to Iowa’s way of life.
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Drawing on his background in the medical field, Phil played a key role in championing and passing healthcare legislation that has shaped policies across the state, amplifying the voices of healthcare workers and their patients.
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Outside of his advocacy work, Phil finds joy in Iowa’s close-knit communities and great outdoors as an avid fly fisherman and hunter. He lives with his wife, their two children, and their German Shorthaired Pointer, Ranger.
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Contact Phil and his team at info@iaahc.com