RSSThe 2013 Legislature is in overtime. While the Iowa House and Senate have agreed on how much to spend, we still need to hammer out the final details of a balanced state budget that makes smart investments in Iowa’s future. The path to a dynamic economy is to strengthen and grow Iowa’s middle class. To [...]
Read the full story >>Iowa has almost 60,000 licensed nurses, one of the largest workforces in the state. Nurses spend more time in direct contact with patients than most other health care professionals. Nurses are responsible for the treatment, safety and recovery of our friends and family when faced with medical emergencies, chronic disease and other health issues. They [...]
Read the full story >>For Immediate Release: May 9, 2013 Senate offers Health Care Compromise Concessions on health care incentives Resistance to increased federal, state, and local property taxes During a meeting today with House negotiators, negotiators for the Iowa Senate today proposed a compromise plan designed to increase access to affordable health care for Iowans. 1) In response [...]
Read the full story >>The Legislature has spent three years debating mental health reform. We are close to implementing a plan that will treat every Iowan the same—no matter where they live, no matter what their disorder. Senate File 415 invests nearly $30 million over the next year to ensure that local services do not suffer as Iowa transitions [...]
Read the full story >>The Legislature continues to work toward a compromise that will expand affordable health care to more low-income Iowans. On April 30, the House approved Governor Branstad’s alternative to Medicaid expansion with only minor changes. In the face of bipartisan opposition, the measure passed on a narrow vote of 51-49. Even the Republican chair of the [...]
Read the full story >>While I hope the 2013 legislative session wraps up soon, I won’t vote to adjourn until Iowa has a balanced state budget that will help strengthen and grow our middle class. We can do that in a fiscally responsible way because Iowa’s state budget is in good shape, thanks to sound bipartisan management. The state [...]
Read the full story >>Emergency responders risk their lives to help their fellow citizens, and nearly 80 percent in Iowa are volunteers. They are the backbone of emergency medical services across the state, ensuring Iowans get the care they need in emergencies. However, there are not enough resources to support Iowa’s emergency services, especially in rural areas. The budget [...]
Read the full story >>he Senate has approved a Health & Human Services Budget that focuses on the needs of the most vulnerable Iowans. That means helping Iowans access critical health care services, improving public health, protecting older Iowans and caring for our veterans. We are also placing a special emphasis on the wellbeing and long-term success of our [...]
Read the full story >>Small businesses want to expand Iowa’s middle class by attracting and retaining the best workers. Providing good health care benefits is one way to do that. Unfortunately, health care is the fastest-growing expense for small business owners. On average, small businesses pay 18 percent more than large businesses for the same coverage, and health insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages in the last 10 years. To ease this financial burden on our small businesses, the Senate passed Senate File 449 with bipartisan support.
Read the full story >>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 health care initiatives: the Senate proposal (SF 296) and the Governor’s plan (HSB 232). Treasurer Fitzgerald concluded that the Senate plan to provide affordable [...]
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