ICAN is also keeping up the fight for health care reform in the Iowa Legislature. While we believe reform should happen at the federal level, we believe also that there is no guarantee that anything will happen, and it is important to keep an eye on Iowa.
One of the highest priorities of ICAN is improving the health care system in Iowa, and promoting comprehensive quality affordable health care for all Americans. We Iowans have a strong tradition of caring for one another, looking out for the good of every member of our communities.
Iowans find themselves at a crossroads. Health insurance, as we know it, is out of reach for a growing share of the workforce. Iowans should not have to choose between food, shelter and heath care. Too many Iowans are facing this dilemma and we can go a long way in providing a secure health care system for everyone.
Now is the right time to advance a proactive progressive agenda of investment in Iowa. We can change the course and ensure a better future for all. We need your help at the grassroots level to build and realize this agenda.
MEDICAID EXPANSION PASSES
We will be sending more information in the near future, but below is the statement ICAN released after the Iowa House joined the Iowa Senate in voting in the best interests of Iowans! A big THANK YOU to our members!
In the final hours of the 2013 Iowa Legislative Session, lawmakers and Governor Branstad set aside petty politics and focused on the needs of Iowans. The real winners today are the thousands of Iowans who now have a chance at health care security.
While there are still hurdles along the path of full implementation, this is an important first step after months of delay.
Credit must be given to the thousands of Iowans and hundreds of organizations who expressed their support for Medicaid Expansion in phone calls, lobby visits, letters, emails – voicing their opinions to the Governor and their legislators.
Iowa Citizen Action Network is proud of the work we have done on this very important issue, along with dozens of organizations, as part of the Healthiest Iowa Initiative.
For continuing information, visit www.healthiestiowa.com.
ICAN’s leadership and work with the Healthiest Iowa Initiative paid off!
A compromise was struck to expand Medicaid. Governor has 30 days to sign bills. http://siouxcityjournal.com/news/state-and-regional/iowa/often-rancorous-iowa-legislative-session-praised-for-results/article_5725165c-07e8-5db8-bfce-3f0890cc5b4f.html
Iowa Citizen Action Network Issues Statement on Medicaid Expansion Compromise Credits Iowans for Pressuring the Governor to Accept Federal Funds
Des Moines – Iowa Citizen Action Network Executive Director Sue Dinsdale made the following statement today:
“In the final hours of the 2013 Iowa Legislative Session, lawmakers and Governor Branstad set aside petty politics and focused on the needs of Iowans. The real winners today are the thousands of Iowans who now have a chance at health care security.” Dinsdale continued, “While there are still hurdles along the path of full implementation, this is an important first step after months of delay.” Read More…
April 14, 2010
Gov Culver signs Iowa health care reform bill.
The bill signed today expands the Iowa Cares (charity care) program and establishes a state exchange.
Betty Ahrens, ICAN Executive Director was present for the signing. Here’s some photos: April, 2009
ICAN wrapped up another year working at the state level for health care reform.
Through strong coordinated efforts, ICAN and the members of the Iowa Health Care for All coalition prevented backsliding from the victories won last year.
ICAN and our allies fought for and won a commitment from the state to pass reform that will make health insurance accessible, affordable and available to all Iowans by July 1, 2010. We also worked to establish a health care commission that will make recommendations to the Legislature to achieve these goals. Betty Ahrens, our Executive Director is proud to serve as a consumer representative to that health care commission. She and her fellow commission members are hard at work making recommendations ready by the first of the year.
A bill that started as a full blown insurance exchange much like what happened in Massachusetts ended up being a board that will recommend to the state by July 1, 2010 a set of plans to be made available to adults that will be affordable to them, some subsidized and some unsubsidized.
ICAN’s continued efforts to coordinate a coalition of health care reform advocates proved successful in implementing an incremental improvement this year. Through strong coordinated efforts, ICAN and the members of the Iowa Health Care for All coalition prevented backsliding from the victories won last year.
- Health Care Coverage for Low Income Iowas: House Plan vs. Senate Plan: Estimated Annual Cost
- Health Care Coverage for Low Income Iowas: House Plan vs. Senate Plan: Existing Care Access Points
- Iowa Medicaid Enterprise, Iowa Department of Human Services, Initiatives
- Cost comparison House and Senate versions of SF 29 FINAL
- FEDERAL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION THROUGH PLAN AMENDMENT OR A SECTION 1115 DEMONSTRATION
- Iowa Human Needs Advocates is a working group of over 30 organizations that advocate in the human services arena. ICAN and IHNA have drafted Guiding Principles for Health Care Reform in Iowa.
- Iowa Policy Project has released “Health Care in Iowa: A Continuing Problem of Access”. The report shows how one in 11 Iowans falls through the cracks of health-care coverage in Iowa, lacking access to health insurance through an employer or through government services–and despite some recent gains, the percentage of Iowans who are uninsured has not improved from the start of the decade.
Submit Your Public Comment About Medicaid!
The Department of Human Services needs to hear from you. Even though the bill has passed there is more to do.