-
It’s been two years since the first cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Iowa, and the pandemic has had a drastic impact on Iowans’ lives and the state’s health care system. That's as Iowans settle into a new normal of living with and monitoring the virus.
-
In Iowa, the rate of maternal death is rising. At the same time, the number of birth centers and OB/GYNs is falling. Some advocates argue midwives could be part of the state's solution.
-
A lack of child care options is stunting the growth of some rural towns. In order to stay alive, the town of Marcus in northwest Iowa is addressing that need.
-
The Republican-led Iowa House of Representatives passed two bills Wednesday aimed at expanding access to child care, but Democratic lawmakers warned the proposals could negatively affect providers, parents and children.
-
Rep. Ann Meyer of Fort Dodge and Rep. Tracy Ehlert from Cedar Rapids join IPR state government reporter Katarina Sostaric and host Ben Kieffer to discuss bills addressing Iowa's child care issues. Before that, a conversation with a Des Moines parent about her struggles to find affordable child care and how the workforce shortage is connected to these issues.
-
A panel of Iowa state representatives advanced the first pair of bills to come out of the governor’s child care task force Wednesday.
-
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds called solving the child care shortage a priority in last year's Condition of the State address. What's being done to add more slots for families?
-
Host Ben Kieffer is joined by IPR Statehouse reporter Katarina Sostaric for a conversation with Iowa legislative leaders on day one of a new session.
-
Gov. Kim Reynolds said Wednesday she plans to give up to $200 million of federal pandemic relief funding to Iowa child care centers that lost money because of the pandemic, and that she'll take more action in the coming months aimed at improving child care access and quality based on the new recommendations from her Child Care Task Force.
-
House Democrats are further expanding the definition of infrastructure with a plan to provide paid leave and family benefits for the vast majority of Americans.