Affordable Health Care

Iowa lawmakers defend the benefits to Iowans of health care reform

January 12, 2012

At a statehouse news conference, Iowa legislators discussed why they are among more than 500 state legislators from all 50 states who have filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting the constitutionality of the health law, arguing that “the minimum coverage provision of the Affordable Care Act is a valid exercise of Congress’s Commerce Clause and Necessary and Proper Clause powers.”

Listen as Iowa reforms mental health services

November 17, 2011

Today November 17, 2011 at 8:30 AM you can listen live to the committee meeting on mental health reform on the Iowa Legislature website.

Improving Iowa health and health care

October 29, 2011

This year, the Legislature approved several initiatives to improve the health and wellbeing of Iowans, including protecting seniors from abuse. Iowa is among the top states in the nation for the quality of care provided to its senior citizens, according to the AARP. We want to keep it that way. That’s why we re-established 10 long-term care inspectors, three inspectors for residential care facilities and an attorney with the Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals. The AARP applauded our efforts to give Iowans improved oversight of quality standards in nursing homes. Unfortunately, the Branstad Administration has failed so far to hire the necessary inspectors, meaning there’s more work to be done on this issue.

A healthy state means a healthy economy

October 28, 2011

You may have heard about a new effort to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation within five years. Our state ranks #19 right now, according to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. While Iowa scores well in many areas, there is room for improvement. For example, obesity is on the rise in Iowa. Two-thirds of all Iowans are overweight or obese, according to the Iowa Department of Public Health. Our obesity rate was 28 percent in 2010, a big increase from the 14 percent obesity rate in 1990. A new statewide effort aims to turn this and other unhealthy trends around.

Hogg: “Keep It Going Walk” against cuts in Iowa’s efforts against tobacco

October 6, 2011

“I support the Start Somewhere Walk,” Hogg said. “But if we are really going to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation, it will require a lot of follow through both at a personal level and at a policy level. Governor Branstad can ‘start somewhere’ by reversing his policies from 2011 and supporting the restoration of Iowa’s tobacco prevention and cessation programs. We should discourage young Iowans from using tobacco, and help every Iowan who wants to quit.”

Auditor’s report shows Democrats right to block Republican demands for damaging cuts to schools, health care and jobs

August 29, 2011

A statement by Senator Bob Dvorsky of Coralville, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, is below the fold.

2011 Legislative session in review

July 6, 2011

The Legislature adjourned for the summer on June 30. The Senate Democratic Research staff has compiled a review to help you sort through the highlights, low-lights and missed opportunities of the 2011 legislative session. (Updated 8/1/11)

Opposing efforts to end Medicare

We took a stand for Iowa seniors last week by opposing the dramatic changes to Medicare and Medicaid proposed by the U.S. House of Representatives. With so many seniors who call Iowa home, efforts to privatize Medicare is an important issue. The proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid are part of a plan to replace Medicare and force individuals to buy their own private insurance with the help of government subsidies.

Prepared closing remarks by Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal on close of the 2011 legislative session

June 30, 2011

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal’s remarks on the closing of the 2011 legislative session are below the fold.

Senator Sodders and Representative Smith press for timely completion of Iowa Veterans Home renovations

June 28, 2011

Senator Steve Sodders of State Center and Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown met with Commandant David Worley last week to discuss concerns about changes to the construction plans at the Iowa Veterans Home. The legislators arranged the meeting after hearing that in May the Branstad administration unilaterally withdrew Iowa’s application for federal funding of the project.