Election 2026

Independent, source-first accountability

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Issue record

Health care

In short

Hinson's campaign backs drug-middleman transparency, rural health workers and maternal care. Turek's campaign backs the Affordable Care Act, a public option, drug cost limits and rural hospitals. Laehn's campaign lists no health-care position on the pages checked. On the record, Hinson sponsored a stillbirth bill that is law and has two 2026 bills in committee; Turek's Iowa insulin and wheelchair-repair bills did not become law, though a state Medicaid policy made the repair change.

Campaign positions

What each campaign says.

Ashley Hinson

Her campaign says she supports pharmacy-benefit-manager transparency, rural health-workforce investment, and expanded maternal and preventive care.

Josh Turek

His campaign says he supports protecting and expanding the Affordable Care Act, a public option, prescription-drug cost limits, and rural hospital and telehealth investment.

Thomas Laehn

No health-care position was found on the campaign issues page reviewed for this comparison.

Evidence timeline

What the record shows.

  1. official action

    Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

    She introduced it in August 2026; it would authorize, not provide, money equal to 10 percent of duties on imported tobacco, and it is still in committee.

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    In the October 7 debate, Hinson said she had just introduced a bill to put money from tobacco taxes on imports toward cancer research, especially childhood and rare cancers. She introduced H.R. 10093, the Cancer Research Trust Fund Act, on August 13, 2026. It would create a cancer research fund and authorize Congress to put into it an amount equal to 10 percent of the duties collected on imported tobacco each year, with rare cancers and childhood cancers first in line. It was sent to the Energy and Commerce Committee and has gone no further. Limit: The bill authorizes the money; Congress would still have to provide it. It has had no committee vote.

  2. official action

    Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

    She introduced it in August 2026; it would make insurers publish how often they deny care, and it has not moved past committee.

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    Full detail

    In the October 7 debate, Hinson said she introduced the Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act to take on big health insurers over denied and delayed care. She introduced H.R. 10024, the Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act, on August 3, 2026; two Republicans signed on as cosponsors on August 13. It would make health insurers and Medicare Advantage plans publish each year how many claims and prior-authorization requests they deny, how many denials are reversed on appeal, how long decisions take, and whether software or a person made them. It was sent to two committees and has gone no further. Limit: The bill makes insurers report their denials; it does not itself limit them. It has had no committee vote.

  3. campaign position

    Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

    No bill she sponsored or cosponsored over three Congresses has pharmacy benefit managers in its title; a provision inside a larger bill would not show up in that check.

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    Her campaign says it will lower prescription drug costs by holding pharmacy benefit managers accountable. No bill among her 119th Congress sponsorships (33 bills and resolutions) or cosponsorships (237), nor among the 95 she sponsored and 924 she cosponsored across the 117th through 119th Congresses, listed on Congress.gov carries pharmacy benefit managers in its title. She cosponsored H.R. 8339, the Drug Origin Transparency Act of 2026 (April 16, 2026), whose official title describes a drug-manufacturing reporting bill rather than a price-transparency or pharmacy-benefit-manager bill, and H.R. 1492, which would equalize the Medicare negotiation period between small-molecule drugs and biologics (June 6, 2025); both were referred to committee. She sponsored H.R. 3878, the RNs for Rural Health Act of 2025 (June 10, 2025), which matches the rural-health-workforce plank. Limit: This check covers bill titles in the 117th through 119th Congresses; a pharmacy-benefit-manager provision inside a larger bill would not appear. H.R. 1492 concerns the timing of Medicare price negotiation and is not obviously in either direction of the plank; its text was not read for this card.

  4. official action

    Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

    The funding law signed in February 2026 has sections on pharmacy benefit managers, and she voted for it twice; the record does not show her part in writing them.

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    Full detail

    In the October 7 debate, Hinson said Congress got some pharmacy benefit manager reforms into a spending bill earlier this year, and that more is needed to hold these middlemen accountable. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148), signed February 3, 2026 as Public Law 119-75, has a section on pharmacy benefit manager accountability in Medicare drug plans (section 6224) and two on those working for employer health plans: oversight and reporting, and passing rebates through to the plan (sections 6701 and 6702). She voted yes when the House passed it on January 22 (341-88) and when it agreed to the Senate's version on February 3 (217-214). Limit: The record shows her votes, not her part in writing these sections. Some employer-plan rules start about two and a half years after the law.

  5. official action

    Josh Turek: Matches stated record claim

    He was sole sponsor of Iowa insulin coverage bills in 2023 and 2025; neither passed, and the $25 figure was not checked against the bill text.

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    His campaign says he sponsored legislation to cap insulin costs at $25 a month. He is the sole sponsor of H.F. 405 (2025), relating to insurance coverage for prescription insulin drugs, introduced and referred to the Commerce Committee on February 13, 2025 with no further action, and of H.F. 502 (2023) on the same subject. Limit: The $25 figure is the campaign's description; the bill text was not read for this card. Neither bill was enacted. No public post on this topic appears in the collected packet, so the card carries no dated earlier words.

  6. official action

    Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

    His bill and a similar committee bill he voted for both fell short of law; the repair change came through a state Medicaid policy change in July 2024.

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    His campaign says he wrote and passed a right-to-repair bill for wheelchairs and mobility devices under Medicaid. He is the sole sponsor of H.F. 2194 (2024), which would have barred the Medicaid program from requiring a prescription or prior authorization to reimburse a provider for repairing complex rehabilitation technology already prescribed and paid for under Medicaid; a House subcommittee recommended passage 3-0 on February 1, 2024, and the bill received no further action and did not become law. A bill with the same title that he did not sponsor, H.F. 2706, barring a prescription or a face-to-face visit rather than prior authorization, was introduced by the House Ways and Means Committee as successor to House Study Bill 744, was floor-managed by Rep. Best of Carroll, and passed the House 91-0 on April 19, 2024, the final day of the session, with Turek among the ayes; the Senate referred it to committee that day and took no further action, so it also did not become law. He filed his own bill again, word for word, as H.F. 425 (2025), which was referred to committee and went no further, and none of the 105 bills and resolutions the Legislature lists for him as sponsor or floor manager in the 90th and 91st General Assemblies was enacted on this subject. The report the campaign cites for the claim, an August 13, 2024 Iowa Capital Dispatch article, says the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services dropped the prescription and in-person visit requirements by a policy change beginning July 1, 2024, after the legislation did not advance, and quotes him: “ultimately we weren’t able to get it across the finish line legislatively, but because of the attention that we brought to it and the advocacy that we did, we’re able to get it done.” Limit: He sponsored his own repair bill and voted for the committee version that passed the House 91-0. Neither became law; the repair change came through state Medicaid policy.

  7. official action

    Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

    She sponsored the stillbirth bill signed in 2024 and was an original cosponsor of the veterans mental health bill signed in 2021; both are law.

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    Full detail

    In the October 7 debate, Hinson said President Biden signed her veterans mental health bill and her stillbirth prevention bill into law, and that she was in the Oval Office for it. She sponsored H.R. 4581, the Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act; the House passed it 408-3 with her vote, and it was signed on July 12, 2024 (Public Law 118-69). Rep. Cindy Axne of Iowa sponsored H.R. 2441, the Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act, and Hinson was an original cosponsor; it was signed on June 30, 2021 (Public Law 117-21). Limit: Congress lists Axne, not Hinson, as the veterans bill's sponsor; a cosponsor counts as backing a bill here. Who was in the Oval Office is not in these records.

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Sources30 source records

How we use sources

  1. Issueshttps://ashleyhinson.com/issues/

    Ashley Hinson for Iowa · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source. Positions are attributed, not independently verified facts.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: campaign position; Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

  2. Pushing for Changehttps://turek4iowa.com/platform/

    Josh Turek for Iowa · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source. Positions are attributed, not independently verified facts.

    candidate statement

    For: Josh Turek: campaign position; Josh Turek: Matches stated record claim; Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  3. The Issueshttps://laehn4iowa.org/issues

    Thomas Laehn for U.S. Senate · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Campaign-controlled source. Positions are attributed, not independently verified facts.

    candidate statement

    For: Thomas Laehn: campaign position

  4. Iowa PBS debate, October 7: Hinson on her cancer research billhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXwr856YrI&t=1509s

    Iowa PBS · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    25:09. The quoted words read the same in YouTube's captions and in Iowa PBS's own transcript.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  5. Iowa Press Debates: U.S. Senate, transcripthttps://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/special/14524/iowa-press-debates-us-senate

    Iowa PBS · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    The host's own transcript of the October 7 debate, the second copy for quoted words.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  6. H.R. 10093 (119th Congress), Cancer Research Trust Fund Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10093

    Congress.gov · Published Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Sponsored by Hinson; referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee August 13, 2026.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  7. H.R. 10093 as introducedhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr10093ih/html/BILLS-119hr10093ih.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Aug 13, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Authorizes a fund equal to 10 percent of duties on imported tobacco each year for cancer research, with rare and childhood cancers as priorities.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  8. Iowa PBS debate, October 7: Hinson on her insurer billhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXwr856YrI&t=1471s

    Iowa PBS · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    24:31. The quoted words read the same in YouTube's captions and in Iowa PBS's own transcript.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  9. H.R. 10024 (119th Congress), Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Acthttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/10024

    Congress.gov · Published Aug 3, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Sponsored by Hinson; Reps. Gallagher and Barrett cosponsored August 13, 2026; referred to Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  10. H.R. 10024 as introducedhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr10024ih/html/BILLS-119hr10024ih.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Aug 3, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Requires insurers and Medicare Advantage plans to publish yearly denial, appeal and timing data and the list of services needing prior authorization.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  11. Member profile, Ashley Hinson (H001091)https://www.congress.gov/member/ashley-hinson/H001091

    Congress.gov · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Sponsored and cosponsored legislation counts as of 2026-09-08 via the Congress.gov API.

    official office record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

  12. H.R. 8339, Drug Origin Transparency Act of 2026https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8339/cosponsors

    Congress.gov · Published Apr 16, 2026 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Cosponsored 2026-04-16.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

  13. H.R. 1492, Medicare negotiation period equalizationhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1492/cosponsors

    Congress.gov · Published Jun 6, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Cosponsored 2025-06-06; title as listed by Congress.gov.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

  14. H.R. 3878, RNs for Rural Health Act of 2025https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3878

    Congress.gov · Published Jun 10, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Sponsored by Hinson.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Not comparable yet

  15. Iowa PBS debate, October 7: Hinson on pharmacy benefit managershttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXwr856YrI&t=1484s

    Iowa PBS · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    24:44. The quoted words read the same in YouTube's captions and in Iowa PBS's own transcript.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  16. H.R. 7148 (119th Congress), Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7148/all-actions

    Congress.gov · Published Feb 3, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Passed the House 341-88 on January 22, 2026; House agreed to the Senate amendments 217-214 on February 3; became Public Law 119-75 the same day.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  17. Public Law 119-75, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ75/html/PLAW-119publ75.htm

    U.S. Government Publishing Office · Published Feb 3, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Division J: section 6224 (PBM accountability in Medicare Part D) and sections 6701 and 6702 (PBM oversight and rebate pass-through for employer plans).

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  18. Roll Call 45, H.R. 7148 passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026045

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Published Jan 22, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, on passage; Hinson recorded Yea; passed 341 to 88.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  19. Roll Call 53, H.R. 7148 Senate amendmentshttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2026053

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Published Feb 3, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Motion to concur in the Senate amendments; Hinson recorded Yea; passed 217 to 214.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  20. House File 405 bill history (2025)https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=HF405&ga=91

    Iowa Legislature · Published Feb 13, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Insurance coverage for prescription insulin; by Turek; introduced and referred to Commerce 2025-02-13, no later action.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated record claim

  21. House File 502 bill history (2023)https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=HF502&ga=90

    Iowa Legislature · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Insurance coverage for prescription insulin; by Turek.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated record claim

  22. House File 2194 bill history (2024)https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=HF2194&ga=90

    Iowa Legislature · Published Feb 1, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Reimbursement for repair of complex rehabilitation technology under Medicaid; subcommittee recommended passage 2024-02-01.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  23. H.F. 2706 (2024), reimbursement for the repair of complex rehabilitation technology under Medicaidhttps://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=HF2706&ga=90

    Iowa Legislature · Published Apr 19, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Committee bill (House Ways and Means, formerly House Study Bill 744), floor manager Rep. Best; passed the House 91-0 on April 19, 2024, the session's final day; read in the Senate and referred to Health and Human Services the same day; no further action. Turek is not its sponsor, cosponsor, or floor manager.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  24. Iowa House Journal, April 19, 2024, page 884 (document)

    Iowa Legislature · Published Apr 19, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Roll call on House File 2706: yeas 91, nays 0, absent or not voting 9; Turek among the yeas. The same journal records adjournment sine die at 4:23 a.m.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  25. House File 425 bill history (2025)https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=HF425&ga=91

    Iowa Legislature · Published Feb 17, 2025 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    Same subject; introduced and referred to Health and Human Services.

    official legislative record

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  26. State lifts prescription requirement for wheelchair repair through Medicaidhttps://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/08/13/state-lifts-prescription-requirement-for-wheelchair-repair-through-medicaid/

    Iowa Capital Dispatch · Published Aug 13, 2024 · Reviewed Sep 8, 2026

    The campaign's own citation for its passed-bill claim. Blocks automated readers; read by the editor on 2026-09-08.

    original reporting

    For: Josh Turek: Matches stated direction

  27. Iowa PBS debate, October 7: Hinson on bills signed into lawhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQXwr856YrI&t=2864s

    Iowa PBS · Published Oct 7, 2026 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    47:44. The quoted words read the same in YouTube's captions and in Iowa PBS's own transcript.

    candidate statement

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  28. H.R. 4581 (118th Congress), Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act of 2024https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/4581

    Congress.gov · Published Jul 12, 2024 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Sponsored by Hinson; passed the House 408-3 on May 15, 2024; signed July 12, 2024; Public Law 118-69.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  29. Roll Call 207, H.R. 4581 passagehttps://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2024207

    Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives · Published May 15, 2024 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act; Hinson recorded Yea; passed 408 to 3.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim

  30. H.R. 2441 (117th Congress), Sgt. Ketchum Rural Veterans Mental Health Act of 2021https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2441/cosponsors

    Congress.gov · Published Jun 30, 2021 · Reviewed Oct 10, 2026

    Sponsored by Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA); Hinson an original cosponsor; signed June 30, 2021; Public Law 117-21.

    official legislative record

    For: Ashley Hinson: Matches stated record claim