Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Iowa Legislative Leaders, Governor Branstad Pre-Session Interviews with Iowa Reporters (Video)

    On January 13, 2017, the Associated Press organized a pre-session news conference with with the leaders of the Iowa Legislature.  From left to right: Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg, House Democratic Leader Mark Smith, Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer and Senate Republican Leader Bill Dix.

    After their meeting, Governor Branstad also met with reporters.

    The meetings were livestreamed on the Iowa Senate Democrats’ Facebook Page.  The links below will take you to the videos.  News coverage is below the videos.

     

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180349601778/

     

    https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/videos/10154180479871778/

     

    Des Moines Register:

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/gop-exercise-muscle-2017-iowa-legislature/96160734/

    http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2017/01/04/branstad-wont-recommend-tax-cuts-lieu-budget-woes/96160506/

     

     

    CR Gazette:

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/budget-constraints-may-limit-iowa-lawmakers-water-quality-actions-20170104

    http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/k-12-schools-medicaid-should-be-spared-from-budget-cuts-branstad-says-20170104

     

    Radio Iowa:

    http://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/05/first-four-priorities-for-action-in-gop-led-iowa-senate/

    https://www.radioiowa.com/2017/01/04/branstad-state-isnt-in-a-position-to-cut-income-taxes-now/

     

     

     

  • Hogg: Iowans must be assured that there are safe, secure environments at every Iowa facility

    (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.”

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  • Ragan: Continue oversight until Medicaid problems are truly fixed

     

    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.

    -end-

    * Video of the meeting is available here: https://www.facebook.com/IowaSenateDemocrats/  

     

  • TODAY: Legislature’s Medicaid Oversight Committee

    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

    3:30 p.m. Public comment

    4:00 p.m. Committee discussion

    4:15 p.m. Adjournment

    https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/agenda?meetingID=23563

     

    -end-

  • Stopping the epidemic of overdose deaths

    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