Many Iowans are expressing concern about Governor Branstad’s unilateral decision to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. If fully implemented, the Governor’s decision would have negative impacts on Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens and Iowa’s healthcare providers.
We are concerned that people in our communities will be denied critical medical services and that local providers will not be adequately reimbursed for the medical care of patients. The long term care of severely disabled adults and children makes up the bulk of Medicaid services in Iowa. Medicaid also covers prenatal care to pregnant women, health insurance for low-income children, and health care for low income seniors and others.
The Governor’s plan is to turn over the care of more than a half million Iowans—one in five Iowans—to four managed care companies by January 1, 2016. With this change, we will see administrative costs jump from 3 to 12 percent, reaching $600 million. At the same time, the overall cost to the state is supposed to fall by $100 million a year.
The math doesn’t add up. The only way these companies can collect the multimillion dollar profits guaranteed them is by denying critical services to Iowans and by failing to fully pay local health care organizations for services they provide.
The managed care companies have yet to sign contracts with the state, so providers are being asked to sign contracts that don’t include reimbursement rates. Medicaid recipients and their families have good reason to be worried about the future.
Iowans who depend on Medicaid and the people and organizations that care for them need more time. That’s why we are calling on the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reject the Governor’s plan to put Iowa’s Medicaid Program in private hands or make major changes to it.
The federal government invests a significant amount in Iowa Medicaid services. We have a responsibility to federal taxpayers and to Iowans who need these services. We need to make sure, for example, that patient outcomes continue to improve and that access to health care is not decreased.
We all need to work together to make sure quality health care services remain available to local seniors, people with physical and mental disabilities, and mothers and children.
Share your concerns
If you are concerned about the Governor’s reckless privatization of Iowa Medicaid, make your voice heard.
- Senate Democrats are holding listening posts to hear what you have to say about Medicaid privatization. Here are the listening posts that have been scheduled so far
- Marion with Senator Mathis: Monday. October 19, 4:15 to 6 p.m., Marion Public Library (1095 Sixth Avenue).
- Burlington with Senators Courtney and Bolkcom: Tuesday, October 27, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Burlington Public Library – Meeting Room A (210 Court Street).
- Muscatine with Senators Brase and Bolkcom: Wednesday, October 28, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Muscatine Community College – Larson Hall room 75 (152 Colorado Street).
- Sigourney with Senators Kinney and Bolkcom: Monday, November 2, 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sigourney Public Library – Meeting Room (720 East Jackson Street).
- Contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by e-mailing all key federal officials making decisions about Iowa’s Medicaid privatization:
- Andrew Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Victoria Wachino, Deputy Administrator and Director, Medicaid and Chip Services
- Eliot Fishman, Director, State Demonstrations
- James Golden, Director, Division of Managed Care Plans
- Alissa Deboy, Acting Director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group
- Debbie Dombrowski, Division of Managed Care Plans
- Jennifer Snow, HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
- Stephene Moore, Director, HHS Region VII
andy.slavitt@cms.hhs.gov
victoria.wachino1@cms.hhs.gov
eliot.fishman@cms.hhs.gov
james.golden@cms.hhs.gov
alissa.deboy@cms.hhs.gov
debbie.dombrowski@cms.hhs.gov
jennifer.snow@hhs.gov
stephene.moore@hhs.gov
Department of Human Services Information
To learn more about privatizing Medicaid in Iowa, go to www.dhs.iowa.gov/ime/about/initiatives/MedicaidModernization.
In addition, the Iowa Department of Human Services is hosting meetings, webinars and conference calls to help local Iowans understand what the transition means for them.
- Informational meetings and webinars for Medicaid recipients and their families can be found at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/MemberEducation_and_EnrollmentEventsFlyer.pdf.
- Informational meetings for community partners, advocates and other stakeholders can be found at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/IAHealthLink_Kick-Off_Meetings_Flyer.pdf. To attend stakeholder meetings, you must register at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/IAHealthLink_Kick-Off_Meetings_Registration_Form.pdf.
Get answers to your questions
- Medicaid recipients with questions or concerns can call Members Services at 1-800-338-8366.
- Questions from providers should be directed to the Provider Services Call Center at 1-800-338-7909.
Related stories