National Alliance on Mental Illness Iowa announced its legislative priorities for the 2026 Iowa legislative session. As the state’s largest mental health nonprofit, NAMI Iowa represents individuals, families and advocates across the state through 13 local affiliates. NAMI Iowa’s 2026 legislative priorities include:

• Increasing the number of adult and youth inpatient beds at state psychiatric hospitals
• Requiring responsible discharge plans for patients following psychiatric hospitalization, building on legislation introduced in 2025 that passed the Iowa House.
• Increasing subacute care options, including structured, non-emergency services for individuals needing additional support.
• Adding permanent supportive housing options for people with the most severe mental illness who are struggling to stay well.
• Improving Iowa’s civil commitment laws to allow for earlier intervention when appropriate.
• Increasing reimbursement rates for behavioral health services across all care settings.

“Our 2026 priorities are about closing critical gaps in care and ensuring people can get help earlier, closer to home and with the right supports in place,” Ryan Crane, executive director of NAMI Iowa, said in a prepared statement. NAMI Iowa will host its annual Day on the Hill on March 11.