U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. joined Gov. Kim Reynolds as she signed a law reshaping food assistance, school meals, screen time and ivermectin access — embracing Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement.
Reynolds, a Republican, signed House File 2676 on Wednesday, May 20, in a ceremony in the governor’s office at the Iowa Capitol, joined by Kennedy and state lawmakers.
“Altogether, this bill advances the health and wellness for every Iowan today and for generations to come,” Reynolds said. “And as governor, I couldn’t be prouder to sign it into law.”
The legislation codifies restrictions on which foods Iowans can buy with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program dollars, allows over the counter ivermectin, removes certain food dyes from school meals, limits screen time and boosts physical activity for elementary schoolers and adds nutrition education requirements for medical professionals.
It passed the Iowa Legislature largely along party lines, with a 61-31 vote in the House and a 30-16 vote in the Senate.
Reynolds said she was “honored” to be joined by Kennedy for the bill signing.
“Secretary Kennedy inspired the MAHA movement, and he has never wavered in his commitment to reform what’s broken across food, health and scientific systems and restore better health for Americans,” she said.
Kennedy, in turn, praised Reynolds and Iowa lawmakers for what he said was a focus on preventing chronic disease.
“One of the great pleasures for me of running this agency has been meeting with all the governors that are trying do great things in their states,” Kennedy said in remarks at the bill signing. “And there’s none that has given me more pleasure than Kim Reynolds because she’s really transformed this state into a laboratory of innovation to address real problems that real people are having.”
He said the members of the Iowa Legislature who voted for the law are “leading the effort to make Iowa healthy again.”
“Iowa is an essential partner in the national movement to make America healthy again,” Kennedy said. “As HHS advances reforms at the federal level, Iowa is leading by improving nutrition, strengthening public health and building a stronger future for American children and families.”
MAHA law maintains ban on using SNAP to buy pop, candy and more
The law requires Iowa to continue seeking a waiver from the federal government to restrict SNAP dollars from being used to buy certain foods.
Iowa’s current waiver took effect Jan. 1 and blocks SNAP funds from being used to pay for foods defined as taxable by the Iowa Department of Revenue.
That includes unhealthy foods such as pop and candy, as well as a wider range of prepared foods.
If the federal government rescinds Iowa’s waiver in the future, the law says Iowa will end its participation in the federal Summer EBT program, which feeds low-income children during the summer.
Iowans can buy ivermectin over the counter from pharmacists
One of the law’s most controversial provisions allows Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription.
The law says pharmacists and pharmacies shall not be subject to professional discipline or civil or criminal penalties for distributing ivermectin.
Democrats said allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin without a doctor’s prescription is dangerous. They pointed to side effects that can result from an ivermectin overdose, like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, seizures and coma.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved ivermectin tablets for treating certain parasitic worms.
In an April 2024 consumer update, the FDA warned that ivermectin has not proven effective to treat COVID-19 and that taking large doses of the drug can be dangerous.
The agency also warns against taking versions of ivermectin intended for animals.
Food dyes banned from school meals
Iowa schools will not be allowed to serve meals containing certain artificial food dyes and ingredients, beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
The ingredients that will be banned include blue dye 1 and 2, green dye 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 40 and yellow dye 5 and 6.
The restriction applies to breakfasts and lunches provided at public and private schools.
The requirement takes effect July 1, 2027.
Screen time for K-5 students limited to 60 minutes or less
Elementary school students will see their classroom screentime reduced to an hour a day, under the law.
The restriction on digital instruction in kindergarten through fifth grade classrooms applies to laptops, tablets and other instructional technology used to educate children.
It builds on a law Reynolds signed last year that restricts cell phones in Iowa schools during class time.
The law also directs the Iowa Departments of Education and Health and Human Services to convene a working group to study the impact of technology on cognitive functioning and academic performance of students in sixth through 12th graders.
Elementary schoolers required to get more physical activity
Iowa is bringing back the Presidential Fitness Test as part of its physical education curriculum, after President Donald Trump revived the program’s use via executive order in 2025.
And the law increases the amount of required physical activity for kindergarten through fourth graders from 30 minutes a day to 40 minutes.
Medical students, professionals required to take nutrition education courses
The law includes nutrition education requirements for medical schools and continuing education in nutrition for medical professionals.
Medical school students must complete at least 40 hours of coursework on nutrition and metabolic health as a condition for graduation.
And licensed medical providers must complete at least one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health every four years as a condition of license renewal.
And the law allows trained school personnel to deliver epinephrine, either through an EpiPen or another method, like a nasal spray.
Stephen Gruber-Miller is the Capitol bureau chief for the Des Moines Register. He can be reached by email at sgrubermil@registermedia.com, by phone at 515-284-8169 or on X at @sgrubermiller.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Gov. Kim Reynolds signs Iowa ‘MAHA’ law, joined by RFK Jr.
Reporting by Stephen Gruber-Miller, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
