Opioid settlement money sits idle as Iowa AG Bird reviews applications
By John Damon | Just The News Iowa
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has not yet distributed any of the $20 million in opioid settlement funds under her control, more than a year after the law authorizing the spending took effect. Senate Democrats this week criticized the delay, but the attorney general's office says it is taking a careful, thorough approach to ensure the money is spent wisely.
Iowa has received $365 million in total from lawsuits against opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies. Of that amount, the state controls $186 million, with the remaining $179 million going directly to Iowa counties. The payments are spread across fiscal years 2021 through 2039.
Lawmakers created the Opioid Settlement Fund in 2022, and Governor Kim Reynolds signed House File 1038 in 2025 to allocate the money. The law splits control: 75% goes to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and 25% goes to the attorney general's office. The AG's share amounts to about $20 million by June 30, 2030.
While HHS has already started sending money to treatment and prevention providers, the attorney general's office has not yet issued a single award. Senate Democrats released a statement Thursday calling on Bird to act.
Democrats demand action
Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, said the delay is hurting Iowans struggling with addiction.
“For over a year now, Attorney General Brenna Bird has failed to distribute even a single cent of the millions of opioid settlement dollars appropriated to her office,” Petersen said. “These funds are meant to help Iowans in need, but they're just sitting in the attorney general's coffers gathering dust.”
Petersen added that people suffering from opioid addiction need support, recovery, and prevention services now.
“There are real Iowans suffering real consequences from the opioid crisis. They need the help these dollars can provide, but the attorney general is sitting on her hands,” Petersen said. “It's long past time to send these resources to the places where they can prevent addiction and save lives.”
AG's office: Process takes time
Jennifer Green, communications director for the attorney general's office, told Iowa Capital Dispatch that the office is moving deliberately.
“Determining who will receive awards is a thorough process that we do not take lightly,” Green said. “We built our distribution process from scratch with the goal of fiscal responsibility and meaningful impact, and we intend to deliver on that goal.”
Green said the office has been meeting with law enforcement, treatment facilities, care providers, and prosecutors across Iowa to hear about projects that would benefit the state and improve the lives of those dealing with addiction. She said the office expects to announce awards in the coming weeks.
“Unlike other grant administrators, our review and granting of awards will be made on a rolling basis until the conclusion of the guidelines established in HF1038,” Green said.
What happens next
The attorney general's office is currently reviewing applications for the opioid settlement funds. Iowans with questions about the distribution process can email opioid.funding@ag.iowa.gov.
The delay highlights a tension between speed and accountability. Democrats want the money out the door quickly to help people in crisis. The Bird administration says it is building a system that will ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, not wasted.
For Iowa families affected by the opioid epidemic, the question remains: when will help arrive?
Photo: Yahoo