From the Desk of Senator Boulton
Iowans deserve a better deal than they’re getting from their state government right now.
This legislative session has been defined by major, controversial bills that have targeted their benefit to a few Iowans instead of the greater good for the majority of Iowans. That trend continued this week as legislation that protected medical malpractice insurance company profits at the expense of Iowans who have had their lives turned upside down by medical negligence.
While the Iowa Legislature should take a role in addressing the escalating costs of medical malpractice liability insurance — and the burden that is placing on doctors and health care facilities across our state — the solution absolutely should not be to simply put the burden on victims of life-changing and life-ending acts of medical negligence.
Moving forward from here, we need to shift the focus on the most serious factors holding back our health care system in Iowa. That means looking for positive policy measures that help with recruiting and retaining exceptional care providers, prioritizing health care services in the appropriations process, addressing unreasonable and unsustainable Medicaid reimbursement rates, ensuring patient safety in scope of practice discussions, improving the accessibility of reproductive health care and delivery services, and pursuing desperately needed expansions of mental health programs and services.
It is time to put Iowa in a better position when it comes access to quality, affordable health care services across the state. Doing that work will lead to a better quality of life for all Iowans and make Iowa a stronger state with a brighter future.
Lessons Learned from Our Survey
Over the past couple weeks, so many Iowans have provided thoughtful responses to the survey my colleagues and I shared last month. We received over 600 responses from Iowans all across the state, and your feedback is extremely valuable as the 2023 legislative session continues.
Many of you feel that the biggest challenges facing you and your family are the threats to public education – especially after Republican politicians passed their private school voucher bill and then voted to underfund our public schools. Here’s a sampling of the responses we’ve received.
“We need to stop funding private schools and refocus on bringing our public schools back to a standard of excellence.” – Larry P.
“Attacks on public education, and the GOP culture wars, are making Iowa an inhospitable place to live and raise a child.” – Christine S.
“Adequate funding for children in Iowa’s public schools, especially those in less wealthy urban or rural areas” – Ronald S.
“Stop the GOP from attacking schools, librarians, books, and actual freedoms.” Chelsea S.
Senate Democrats will continue to listen and fight for what Iowans actually want and need. Every day we’re reminded how important it is that we listen to and learn from our constituents. We are thankful for your feedback.
Please take a moment to complete our short survey yourself if you have not already — and please forward this email to your friends, family, community members, or anybody who you think we need to hear from!
Quick Updates
- School funding update. This week, the House passed a Republican plan to boost school funding by 3%, or about $107 million, and Gov. Reynolds signed that increase into law. Senate Democrats fought for an increase of $267 million to help schools meet rising costs, hire more teachers, and expand mental health services for kids. Supporting Iowa families and high-quality public education remains our top priority.
- Justice Denied. Senate Republicans passed House File 161 on Wednesday, placing strict limits on damages in medical malpractice cases. Senate Democrats opposed the bill because it empowers politicians – not juries – to decide the value of a human life. SF 148 will not improve medical care in Iowa, but it will pad insurance company profits while denying justice for injured Iowans.
- Teacher of the Year nominations. Iowa’s Teacher of the Year award provides an opportunity to recognize an Iowa teacher who motivates, challenges, and inspires excellence; who takes teaching beyond textbooks and blackboards; and who is an exceptional teacher. Sound like someone you know? Nominate them today!
- 1,550 pages of government reorganization. We’re keeping a close watch on Gov. Reynolds’ government reorganization proposals, now moving through the legislature as HSB 126 and SSB 1123. We’re all for finding efficiencies and improving service in state government, but we’re concerned these 1,550-page bills may include power grabs that make Gov. Kim Reynolds’ administration less accountable to Iowans. The first of several subcommittees met this week to review changes to the Department of Revenue, the Iowa Lottery, the Alcoholic Beverage Division, and community-based corrections, among many other agencies. We’re going to do our due diligence and ensure these changes are good for Iowa, not just the governor’s office.
- Ending wage theft. I recently joined all my Senate Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring a bill to help stop wage theft. SF 122 ensures that employers who rob workers of earned wages are held accountable. Wage theft affects thousands of Iowans annually, robbing them of hundreds of millions of dollars. Protecting working Iowans is a top priority for Senate Democrats.
- Family Medical Leave anniversary. This past Monday marked the 30th anniversary of President Bill Clinton signing the Family Medical Leave Act into law. This transformative bill allows thousands of Iowa workers every year take time off to welcome newborn family members or care for sick children without risking losing their job. In the Senate, I’ve joined all my Democratic colleagues in cosponsoring SF 95, the Iowa Family Medical Leave Act, to ensure family leave protections secure for every worker in our state.
- Request a ballot. Special elections will take place for some local jurisdictions in approximately 60 counties on March 7. Iowans wishing to vote absentee by mail can request a ballot now at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. For more information on elections in your area, including information on your polling place, visit your county auditor’s website.
- Be a poll worker. Speaking of upcoming elections, county auditors are always looking for poll workers to help check in voters, answer questions, and ensure elections run smoothly. In addition to those local elections on March 7, city-school elections will be held statewide this November. Being a poll worker is a great way to serve your state and nation, and you get paid! To learn more, visit Pollworker.Iowa.gov.
- Texts from court. You know how your dentist, your doctor, even your favorite restaurant will text you a reminder of an upcoming appointment? Starting soon, so might your court. The Iowa Judicial branch is launching a pilot program to test free text reminders of court dates and payment plan due dates. This convenient service could save Iowans on inadvertent penalties and break the cycle of fines assessed on top of fines.
This Week in the Capitol
