House passes bill to improve accessible pharmacy labels for people who are blind

The Iowa House passed House File 2585 on March 9 after Representative Story described work with the Federation of the Blind to expand access to pharmacy labels for people who are blind or have other print disabilities. Story said the measure improves accessibility "without adding a significant unfunded mandate on our small businesses."

Representative Wilson, speaking from the subcommittee, urged colleagues to vote yes. The clerk read the bill for final passage and reported 90 ayes, 0 noes and 10 absent; the chair declared the bill passed and the title agreed to.

Supporters framed the bill as a technical, accessibility-focused change intended to make prescription information usable by more Iowans while limiting new costs for small pharmacies. The House ordered the bill messaged to the Senate.