(Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the following response to news that clients were mistreated at the Glenwood State Resource Center.
“Abuse is never acceptable. This is especially worrisome because families in more than half of Iowa’s counties depend on Glenwood for health care services that are unavailable elsewhere.
“I visited the Glenwood facility in 2015. There is no question that Iowans count on the highly specialized services like those provided at state facilities like Glenwood.
“We need to make sure we act to prevent abuse and provide the support Glenwood needs to ensure a safe, secure environment.”
Legislative Democrats are holding six listening sessions to begin our 2017 outreach. We’ll be stopping Jan. 3-6 in Mason City, Waterloo, Davenport, DeWitt, Ottumwa and Anamosa. Throughout the year, we hope to meet with Iowans across our state.
We want to hear local concerns and share a positive vision for good jobs with good benefits, good schools, better health, and real public safety.
Mason City, Tuesday, January 3, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd Street SE.
Waterloo, Tuesday, January 3, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., at the Waterloo Public Library, 415 Commercial Street.
Davenport, Thursday, January 5, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., at the Village Inn, 1919 N. Harrison Street.
DeWitt, Thursday, January 5, from 11:00 a.m. to noon, at the Frances Banta Waggoner Library, 505 10th Street.
Ottumwa, Thursday, January 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hotel Ottumwa’s Iowa Room, 107 2nd Street E.
Anamosa, Friday, January 6, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., at Grounds & Goodies, 112 E. Main Street.
“As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.
“Democratic leadership led the way in developing Iowa’s statewide renewable energy industry. That’s because Iowa renewable energy is good for the environment and good for Iowa jobs across our state.
“Iowa is the number one state in the production of biofuels and a national leader in wind energy. In addition, Iowa homeowners, farmers, and businesses are using solar systems to save money, and our utilities are investing in large scale solar installations.
“Many good Iowa jobs now involve manufacturing, installing and servicing of wind, solar, biofuels and energy efficiency systems. Iowa-made energy is a job creator that is expanding Iowa’s economy, especially in our rural areas and small towns.
“We hope legislative Republicans will continue bipartisan support for clean, renewable energy. This is especially important because the incoming President and his nominees for key positions have expressed opposition to clean energy solutions.”
Opening Comments for the December 13 meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee meeting by Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City, Senate Committee Co-Chair*
In Iowa, privatized health care for the poor and severely disabled is moving forward faster, with less planning, than in any other state. This affects the health care of one in six Iowans.
At this meeting of the Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee, it is our job to ask “How’s it going?”
That is the question we need to keep asking Iowa families and Iowa health care providers.
The answers so far are pretty consistent. Various basic problems continue and aren’t being fixed. Some examples are:
Providers have told us they are not being paid in a timely manner, or are being paid the incorrect amount.
Many Iowans still can’t get the services they need without jumping through unnecessary administrative hoops.
Are there STILL problems with prior authorizations?
Is information from IME and the MCOs still hard to get, inconsistent, or incorrect?
Are Iowa’s local health care providers paying much more in administration costs? Yes they are, and yet the MCOs responsible for those cost increases are getting a raise.
Any savings from privatized Medicaid are vaporous at best, especially as the MCOs consistently complain they are losing lots of money.
The right thing to do is to fix these problems. That argument should move us to action, especially when you consider this: Each and every Iowan, except for the wealthiest among us, is just an accident away from needing the long-term health care Medicaid provides.
That’s why intensive, on-going oversight of privatized Medicaid is absolutely essential. That oversight must continue until these serious, recorded, persistent problems are fixed.
Iowans depend on us to ask tough questions, to insist on straight answers, and to make sure the State of Iowa’s efforts result in the most positive health care programs and outcomes possible.
That’s exactly what I hope we can do today. Thank you.
Iowa Senate News Release For Immediate Release: December 12, 2016
The Iowa Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee will meet for their final meeting before the start of the 2017 session.
LIVESTREAM: This meeting will be livestreamed at the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook page, www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/. You do not need to be a Facebook user to watch the video of the meeting.
Agenda:
Noon: Opening remarks
1:15 p.m. Review of Iowa Health Link quarterly report–Department of Human Services (DHS)
1:45 p.m. Committee discussion with Managed Care Organization (MCO) representatives
2:45 p.m. Report on public input sessions and other activities of the Medical Assistance Advisory Committee
3:00 p.m. Update from the Managed Care Ombudsman Program
Iowa Senate News Release For immediate release: December 9, 2016
(Des Moines) Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg has released the committee assignments for the Democratic members of the Iowa Senate for the 2017 session of the Iowa Legislature.
“A lot of groundwork is done during committee meetings, where there are opportunities for open discussion and bipartisan work,” Hogg said. “I’m disappointed Senate Republicans have eliminated the Economic Growth Committee, but we will look for ways to stand up for good jobs, good benefits and strong community schools across the state.”
The two-year 87th General Assembly will begin on Monday, January 9, 2017.
Iowa Senate News Release For immediate release: December 5, 2016
First change by Iowa Senate Republicans guts oversight of economic development projects
Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg
[Des Moines] The first decision by the new Republican majority in the Iowa Senate was to eliminate the Senate Economic Growth Committee. The committee oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in state economic development efforts by multiple state agencies. The Senate Republicans’ decision runs counter to that of the Republican-controlled Iowa House, which today announced that the House Economic Growth Committee will continue.
“Senate Republicans should reconsider their decision to gut legislative oversight of Iowa’s job creation efforts,” said Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids). “The Senate Economic Growth Committee has helped Iowans create jobs with innovative programs in infrastructure, community development, and emerging technologies. The committee’s job is to improve these efforts and provide a safeguard against crony capitalism.”
Legislation developed by the Senate Economic Growth Committee was supported by bipartisan majorities in the Iowa House and Senate and signed into law by both Democratic and Republican Governors, including Governor Branstad. A 2016 example is Senate File 2300, legislation that will help make Iowa a key player in the next generation of renewable chemical production.
The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
Iowa Senate News Release
For immediate release: November 19, 2016
Hogg elected leader of Senate Democrats
[Des Moines] At a Statehouse meeting Nov. 19, Democratic members of the Iowa Senate unanimously elected State Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids to serve as the Iowa Senate’s Democratic Leader.
Senator Hogg released the following statement:
“I’m honored my Senate Democratic colleagues selected me as their leader in this difficult time. During the 2017 legislative session, we will stand up for Iowans who need state government to work for all of us. One reason Iowa is such a great state is our dedicated public employees—teachers, corrections officers, state troopers, DOT workers, DHS workers, DNR workers, city and county staff, and many others—who work hard every day to help Iowans.
“We will stand up for working people who seek higher wages and better benefits, for families who need strong schools and affordable college and job training, for small business owners who need skilled workers and a level playing field, for seniors who need help to stay in their own homes, for veterans who need health care, for city residents and farmers looking for clean water and clean energy solutions, and for vulnerable Iowans who need a safety net to maintain their health and dignity.
“In contrast to most other states, Iowa’s state budget is in good shape. We want to keep it that way, and will try to prevent Governor Branstad and legislative Republicans from repeating the sort of mistakes that bankrupted Kansas, undermining their schools, health care and economy.”
Senator Hogg is in his third term in the Iowa Senate, after serving two terms in the Iowa House. He currently chairs the Government Oversight Committee, is vice-chair of the Judiciary Committee, and serves on the Appropriations, Education and Ways & Means committees. Following the devastating floods and tornadoes of 2008, Senator Hogg chaired a special Rebuild Iowa Committee focused on helping communities recover.
A fourth generation Iowan, Rob Hogg is a lawyer in private practice in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife, Kate, have three children and are members of Christ Episcopal Church.
Senate Democrats also elected Amanda Ragan of Mason City as Senate Democratic Whip, and six assistant leaders: Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, Bill Dotzler of Waterloo, Rita Hart of Wheatland, Liz Mathis of Robins, Matt McCoy of Des Moines and Herman Quirmbach of Ames.
In addition, the meeting was the first for newly elected State Senator Nate Boulton of Des Moines.
The 2017 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly will convene on Monday, January 9, 2017.
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The new Iowa Senate Democratic leadership includes (from left) State Senators Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City (assistant leader), Rita Hart of Wheatland (assistant leader), Bill Dotzler of Waterloo (assistant leader), Liz Mathis of Robins (assistant leader), Amanda Ragan of Mason City (Senate Democratic Whip), Matt McCoy of Des Moines (assistant leader), Herman Quirmbach of Ames (assistant leader) and Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids (Senate Democratic Leader).
Twenty-three Iowans died from prescription opioid overdoses in 2015, according to the Department of Public Health.
A report from the Trust for America’s Health tells us that prescription drug and heroin overdose deaths are climbing in Iowa, just as they are nationwide. In fact, the number of Iowa drug deaths—a majority related to prescription medications —has more than quadrupled in recent years.
We’re helping prevent these deaths by allowing Iowans to obtain medications that counteract drug overdoses. Iowans who’ve lost loved ones to a drug overdose—as well as those who’ve seen the life-saving results of Narcan—have fought for wider-spread use of the antidote here in Iowa.
We responded by making it possible for first responders, emergency medical service providers, police, firefighters and licensed health care professionals to maintain a supply of the opioid antagonist and administer it in cases of an overdose. A person in a position to assist — such as a family member, friend, caregiver or substance abuse facility — can also administer the emergency drug.
It’s one way we can prevent unnecessary tragedies and the heartache of Iowans who feel powerless to intervene when loved ones are in danger — and it gives individuals the chance to get help for their substance abuse issues.
In another effort to minimize prescription drug overdoses, the Iowa Pharmacy Board and Office of Drug Control Policy are setting up permanent Take Back kiosks at pharmacies and law enforcement centers in all Iowa counties.
The Take Back program is important because most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends. Properly disposing of unused medicines can prevent abuse and save lives. To find the closest Take Back site, go to https://odcp.iowa.gov/takebackrx.
In addition, a Prescription Pain Medications Study Committee will meet later this fall to evaluate the prescription pain medication crisis in Iowa and give us recommendations on how to tackle it. The committee will look at:
Trends in t prescription pain medications issued in Iowa
Deaths from prescription pain medication and illegal drugs
How the medical community is helping reduce drug dependency
Available treatment options and pain management programs
This year, Iowa started a “Safe at Home” program for victims of domestic abuse, sexual abuse, stalking and human trafficking. Dozens of Iowans are now participating in this address confidentiality program administered by the Secretary of State’s office.
The office gets a U.S. Post Office box for a victim who has chosen to participate in Safe at Home. The office receives the participant’s mail and forwards it to the P.O. Box. Through this same program, victims can sign up for permanent absentee ballot voting at their confidential address. Victims may also be able to use their confidential address when involved in court proceedings.
These measures prevent a victim’s physical address from appearing on public records, helping them stay safe from their abuser. You can learn more about Safe at Home in Iowa and other help for victims at https://safeathome.iowa.gov.
In addition to Safe at Home, we’ve voted to help victims recover from crimes by allowing money from the Victim Compensation Fund to be used for housing assistance and emergency relocation. In addition, more employees at the Victim Assistance Division in the Attorney General’s Office will make sure federal grant money effectively helps crime victims.
If you or someone you know is a victim, call the Iowa Domestic Violence HelpLine at 1-800-770-1650. The 24/7 statewide crisis and counseling line has trained experts who can offer free and confidential assistance to those seeking to escape an abusive situation. For more information, visit www.survivorshelpline.org.
“As we review the proposed Iowa Energy Plan, the new Legislature and Governor’s office should focus on developing our state’s renewable energy and energy efficiency resources, generating wealth throughout the state and making Iowa even more energy independent.
