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Bill to fund pediatric cancer research advances in Iowa Legislature after three-year push
All three members of a House subcommittee signed off on a bill that would grant up to $3 million to the University of Iowa each year for pediatric cancer research
Jan. 29, 2026 5:42 pm, Updated: Jan. 29, 2026 7:21 pm
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
Scott Kaas is no stranger to Iowa’s political process. Inspired by his daughter Devyn, who in 2023 was diagnosed with leukemia at seven months of age, Kaas has spent the last three years advocating for pediatric cancer research funding at the Iowa State Capitol.
Before the legislative session began this month, Kaas told The Gazette he wasn’t as optimistic as he’d been in the past. He said federal cancer research funding cuts and disruption would require the state to pick up the financial slack, leaving lawmakers less inclined to consider his proposals.
Kaas’ optimism may be returning. On Thursday, a House higher education subcommittee unanimously signed off on House File 2057, which would grant the University of Iowa up to $3 million annually for pediatric cancer research. It’s the first time the proposal cleared a subcommittee. If adopted, it would make Iowa one of a handful of states that provide ongoing funding for pediatric cancer research.
Pediatric cancers, or cancers that affect kids younger than 15, are complex. Children tend to get different forms of cancer than adults do, with different causes than adult cancers. Treatment is different, too. Children’s bodies are still growing as they’re being treated, and they’ll likely have to live with the effects much longer than an adult would. Despite these challenges, only 4 percent of national cancer research funding is spent on pediatric cancer specifically.
The first version of the bill was modeled after legislation Nebraska passed in 2014. The original Nebraska bill granted $1.8 million for pediatric cancer research, roughly $1 for every state resident. House File 2057 would do the same, but cap the total potential funding at $3 million each year.
Kaas said he thinks party politics have affected the bill’s success in Iowa. He had pushed for Gov. Kim Reynolds to acknowledge a need for pediatric cancer research in her condition of the state speech, hoping that might shift support in the legislature.
“Some representatives do not seem to work for their constituent base,” Kaas said in an interview before Thursday’s hearing. “They work for leadership, and that’s what we’re running into over and over again."
The two earlier versions of the bill were introduced by House Democrats. Both got stuck in subcommittees.
This time, the bill was introduced by Rep. Jason Gearhart, of Strawberry Point, and cosponsored by Rep. Eddie Andrews, of Johnston — both Republicans.
This year’s bill nearly got stuck too, but after a legislator told Kaas the bill was sent to the higher education subcommittee “to die,” Kaas rallied parent advocates and researchers to push for a hearing, and all three legislators signed off on it.
Rep. Timi Brown-Powers, D-Waterloo, said during Thursday’s hearing that the bill could be an opportunity for the state’s relationship with cancer to change course.
“It would be fantastic if Iowa could lead in research rather than lead in incidence of cancer,” Brown-Powers said.
Rep. Heather Hora, R-Washington, agreed the appropriations would be a wise investment, calling it “money well spent.”
Before and after the hearing’s testimony, Rep. Jeff Shipley, R-Birmingham, said his love and prayers were with families affected by pediatric cancer.
“It’s beyond tragic what children are going through and so it’s certainly something that the state of Iowa needs to be paying attention to,” Shipley said. “I think this is something we’re going to be considering this year and far into the future.”
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