Senate’s Health Care Plan Is Best For Uninsured Iowans
Most Iowans—including legislators and the Governor—agree that our health care system needs to do more to ensure the good health of Iowans and to reduce costs for everyone. This week, Governor Branstad...
View ArticleExpanding Affordable Care Will Help Make Iowa The Healthiest State
Iowa may be the 9th healthiest state now, but we could quickly fall behind due to Governor Branstad’s refusal to expand Medicaid. A new study shows Iowa has moved into the top 10 when it comes to the...
View ArticleMeasures to grow Iowa’s middle class advance
The following measures to grow Iowa’s middle class all survived the first 2013 legislative funnel. Improving Iowa schools by boosting teacher quality, increasing student achievement and supporting...
View ArticleWilhelm: Personal Point on Governor’s refusal to help struggling Iowans
TRANSCRIPT: (Video) To Governor Branstad, living without health care is something to ridicule, something to joke about. What happens when Governor Branstad is asked about helping Iowans too poor to...
View ArticleSenate Democrats offer compromise on affordable health care
Iowa Senate Democrats offer a compromise in order to insure tens of thousands of Iowans. To address Governor Branstad’s concerns that the federal government will not keep its promises, Democrats...
View ArticleSenate Offers Compromise to Expand Access to Affordable Health Care to Iowans
Too many of our neighbors live without health insurance. This puts them at increased risk of serious, even fatal medical problems. While no one is refused help at emergency rooms, that approach...
View ArticleHealth Care and Iowa’s Small Businesses
Iowa small businesses want to provide good health care benefits to attract and retain the best workers, but they often find it financially difficult or impossible. Health care is the fastest-growing...
View ArticleEliminating Fraud Reduces Health Care Costs
Much of this legislative session has focused on expanding access to affordable health care to more Iowans through Medicaid. As we work toward that goal, we’re also working to lower costs. Most Medicaid...
View ArticleBattling the Growth of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most under-recognized public health crises of the 21st century. More than 69,000 Iowans have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia and the fifth...
View ArticleJoin in the Iowa Senate debate of affordable health care
At 5 PM on Monday, March 25, the Iowa Senate will debate extending affordable health care to tens of thousands of our neighbors who need it (SF 296). You can add your voice to this historic effort to...
View ArticleGrowing Iowa’s Middle Class through Smart Jobs Legislation
Iowa’s financial outlook is bright, according to the state’s nonpartisan Revenue Estimating Committee. The continued rise in state revenues shows that our response to the national recession is working....
View ArticleSenate Approves Expanding Affordable Health Care
The Senate approved expanded access to affordable health care on March 25 with the passage Senate File 296. It was an exciting day in the Chamber with Iowans from across the state on hand to encourage...
View ArticleSenate Approves Life-Saving Screening for Newborns
On March 25, the Senate passed Senate File 393, which requires that newborns in Iowa be screened for critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs). It is an easy step we can take to ensure the health of...
View ArticleGovernor’s “deceptive, dishonest” flyer makes false comparisons about...
Today Governor Branstad’s office issued a flyer making a number of false claims while comparing his health care plan with that passed by the Senate Democrats. Senator Jack Hatch, chair, Senate Health...
View ArticleRefuting the Governor’s “true side-by-side comparison” on health care
Refuting the Governor’s “true side-by-side comparison” on health care Joint statement by Senators Jochum, Hatch, Ragan, and Bolkcom “We welcome the fact that Governor Branstad is finally engaging in...
View ArticleEnsuring More Iowans Have Access to Mental Health Services
The Legislature is continuing its bipartisan efforts to expand access to affordable health care. Your address should not determine the health care available to you. That is why the Legislature has...
View ArticleGovernor’s plan will not make Iowa the healthiest state
We support the Governor’s goal to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by focusing on improving health outcomes and rewarding healthy behaviors. That is why the Senate has incorporated those...
View ArticleCare for the most vulnerable Iowans
This year and every year, we want to honor our commitment to help the most vulnerable Iowans, including those in need of critical health care, older Iowans at risk for abuse and fraud, and veterans...
View ArticleHelp for Iowans Coping with Autism
Nearly one in 50 American kids is affected by autism spectrum disorders, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism is a neurological disorder characterized by difficulty...
View ArticleSenate Health Care Plan is Financially Smart
It’s the State Treasurer’s job to let Iowans know when they are getting a good or bad financial deal. With that in mind, Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald recently reviewed the Legislature’s competing...
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