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Senate expands ban on noncompetes at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Summary
House File 2254 prohibits noncompete clauses in employment contracts at UIHC and, as amended, extends the prohibition to nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists and physician assistants; sponsors said the bill aims to improve rural provider access and staff retention.
Senator Dickey (Jefferson) introduced House File 22 54 to bar the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from including noncompete clauses in employment contracts with physicians and, by amendment, with other health professionals including ARNPs, LPNs, pharmacists, PAs and RNs. He framed the measure as a way to improve rural access to care and to prevent UIHC from using noncompetes to restrict physicians trained with taxpayer funds.
Senators from rural areas supported the amendment, saying expanded prohibition would help rural hospitals recruit and retain clinicians. Senator Donoghue said the amendment would "allow more people to go out to those areas and help our rural Iowans" and urged a yes vote. Senator Dickey and other supporters said the bill responds to doctors' complaints about administrative practices and large noncompete radii that limit where physicians can work; Dickey cited examples of physician departures and said the change will help rural health care access. The amendment was adopted and the bill passed by roll call (reported 43 ayes, 2 nays).
