Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Statement on latest privatized Medicaid contracts

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  July 10, 2019

     

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on outrageous new contracts for privatized Medicaid 

    “The outrageous contracts with two out-of-state corporations are more evidence that privatized Medicaid in Iowa is unsustainable, unaffordable and unpredictable.

    “Governor Reynolds has once again agreed to give the MCOs the largest dollar increases for Medicaid in the last decade. The publicly managed Medicaid system grew at an average of 5% each year over a 10-year period before privatization. Last year, the increase was 8.4%. The increase announced today is a whopping 8.6%!

    “Just imagine how much better off Iowans would be if K12 public schools, job training programs and family planning services received that kind of increased state support!

    “The big cheerleaders for privatized Medicaid – Governor Reynolds and Republican legislators –cannot back up their claims that privatizing would save money and make people healthier. That’s because it hasn’t happened.

    “Privatized Medicaid continues to be a bad, bad deal for Iowa Medicaid recipients, health care providers and taxpayers.”

    • end –

  • Legislative leaders to decide on medical cannabis special committee

    For Immediate Release: July 9, 2019

    Special committee would provide path for bipartisan agreement on medical cannabis

    —

    Decision to be made by legislative leaders this Thursday, July 11, at Iowa Statehouse

    This Thursday, the leaders of the Iowa Legislature will be asked to create an interim committee to hammer out reforms of Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program.  

    After several years without progress, a comprehensive bill was approved with overwhelming bipartisan support during the 2019 session.  A month later, Governor Reynolds vetoed the bill. An effort to override that veto fell short last month.

    A study committee on medical cannabis reform offers the surest chance of success because it would allow input from advocates, medical experts and other interested Iowans, according to Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City and Rep. John Forbes of Urbandale.

    “Year after year, Iowa families have traveled to the Statehouse pleading for help,” Bolkcom said.  “After listening to Iowans, we should hammer out a fix that is ready to go the day the 2020 session begins in January.” 

    “All we need to do is focus on helping suffering families.  That’s it,” said Representative John Forbes, an Urbandale pharmacist.  “We don’t need to reinvent the wheel. All Iowa has to do is approve what’s working in other states and get the heck out of the way.”

    The Legislative Council’s Studies Committee is scheduled to meet at 11:15 a.m. Thursday, July 11, 2019, in Room 22 of the Iowa State Capitol.

    ###

    [pdf-embedder url=”http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Interim-committee-request-letter_FINAL-1.pdf” title=”Interim committee request letter_FINAL”]

    Contact the legislative council and encourage them to support an interim committee: http://bit.ly/Iowa-Leg-Council-7-2019

    Breckenridge, Wes [LEGIS] <Wes.Breckenridge@legis.iowa.gov>; Deyoe, Dave [LEGIS] <Dave.Deyoe@legis.iowa.gov>; Grassley, Pat [LEGIS] <Pat.Grassley@legis.iowa.gov>; Hagenow, Chris [LEGIS] <Chris.Hagenow@legis.iowa.gov>; Hall, Chris [LEGIS] <Chris.Hall@legis.iowa.gov>; Hein, Lee [LEGIS] <Lee.Hein@legis.iowa.gov>; Oldson, Jo [LEGIS] <Jo.Oldson@legis.iowa.gov>; Prichard, Todd [LEGIS] <Todd.Prichard@legis.iowa.gov>; Steckman, Sharon [LEGIS] <Sharon.Steckman@legis.iowa.gov>; Upmeyer, Linda [LEGIS] <Linda.Upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov>; Wills, John [LEGIS] <John.Wills@legis.iowa.gov>; Windschitl, Matt [LEGIS] <Matt.Windschitl@legis.iowa.gov>; Behn, Jerry [LEGIS] <Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov>; Bolkcom, Joe [LEGIS] <Joe.Bolkcom@legis.iowa.gov>; Chapman, Jake [LEGIS] <Jake.Chapman@legis.iowa.gov>; Feenstra, Randy [LEGIS] <Randy.Feenstra@legis.iowa.gov>; Jochum, Pam [LEGIS] <Pam.Jochum@legis.iowa.gov>; Lykam, Jim [LEGIS] <Jim.Lykam@legis.iowa.gov>; Petersen, Janet [LEGIS] <Janet.Petersen@legis.iowa.gov>; Ragan, Amanda [LEGIS] <Amanda.Ragan@legis.iowa.gov>; Schneider, Charles [LEGIS] <Charles.Schneider@legis.iowa.gov>; Sinclair, Amy [LEGIS] <Amy.Sinclair@legis.iowa.gov>; Whitver, Jack [LEGIS] <Jack.Whitver@legis.iowa.gov>; Zumbach, Dan [LEGIS] <Dan.Zumbach@legis.iowa.gov>

  • Fight for medical cannabis reforms continues

    For Immediate Release: July 1, 2019

    Legislative leaders announce next steps in the fight for Iowa medical cannabis reforms

    News Conf Video: https://youtu.be/3LZjZNil7gQ

    Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.

    “Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”

    In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”

    The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.

    “An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said.  “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done.  The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”

    The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.

    “The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes.  “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”

    ###

  • Iowans urged to ask legislators to stand by votes

    Iowa Legislature Release
    For Immediate Release: June 24, 2019 

     

    Medical cannabis veto override is more than halfway to goal

    Iowans urged to contact legislators who voted for reforms but have yet to defend their votes

    Des Moines, Iowa – Iowans pushing to overturn Governor Reynolds’ veto of medical cannabis reforms are more than halfway to their goal of calling for a special session.

    House File 732 would have made substantial improvements to Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis law.  It was overwhelmingly approved in April by the Iowa House on a vote of 96 to 3 and by the Iowa Senate on a vote of 40 to 7.

    A special session to override the veto will be held if two-thirds of the members of the House (67) and two-thirds of the Senate (34) each submit a written request.

    As of Monday, June 24, Iowa’s 18 Democratic State Senators and 47 Democratic State Representatives have all either submitted or plan to submit a request for a special session.

    It is unclear whether any of the Republicans who voted for the bill–50 in the House and 24 in the Senate–have requested a special session.

    “The voices of ordinary Iowans have gotten us this far.  They need to keep fighting because that is the only way this mean-spirited veto will be overridden,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom.  “I urge every Iowan to encourage Republican legislators to defend their votes for urgently needed Iowa medical cannabis reforms.”

    More information about the effort to pass Iowa medical cannabis reform can be found here: http://bit.ly/Override-the-veto

    Below is a list of the members of the Iowa House and Senate who voted for Iowa Medical cannabis and who have not yet expressed support for a special session to override the veto.

    Sen Waylon Brown, (641)-590-0610, waylon.brown@legis.iowa.gov, St Ansgar

    Sen Jake Chapman, (515)-650-3942, jake.chapman@legis.iowa.gov, Adel

    Sen Chris Cournoyer, (563)-289-7335, chris.cournoyer@legis.iowa.gov, LeClaire

    Sen Jeff Edler, (641)-751-5902, jeff.edler@legis.iowa.gov, State Center

    Sen Thomas A. Greene, (319)-750-6579, tom.greene@legis.iowa.gov, Burlington

    Sen Dennis Guth, (641)-430-0424, dennis.guth@legis.iowa.gov, Klemme

    Sen Craig Johnson, (319)-334-2413, craig.johnson@legis.iowa.gov, Independence

    Sen Tim L. Kapucian, (319)-334-2413, tim.kapucian@legis.iowa.gov, Keystone

    Sen Carrie Koelker, (563)-590-5975, carrie.koelker@legis.iowa.gov, Dyersville

    Sen Tim Kraayenbrink, (515)-408-4770, tim.kraayenbrink@legis.iowa.gov, Fort Dodge

    Sen Mark S. Lofgren, (563)-272-8683, mark.lofgren@legis.iowa.gov, Muscatine

    Sen Mariannette Miller-Meeks, (641)-683-7551, mariannette.miller-meeks@legis.iowa.gov, Ottumwa

    Sen Zach Nunn, (515)-519-2246, zach.nunn@legis.iowa.gov, Altoona

    Sen Ken Rozenboom, (641)-295-6551, ken.rozenboom@legis.iowa.gov, Oskaloosa

    Sen Charles Schneider, (515)-657-7375, charles.schneider@legis.iowa.gov, West Des Moines

    Sen Jason Schultz, (712)-269-2178, jason.schultz@legis.iowa.gov, Schleswig

    Sen Mark Segebart, (712)-269-4519, mark.segebart@legis.iowa.gov, Vail

    Sen Tom Shipley, (712)-785-3583, tom.shipley@legis.iowa.gov, Nodaway

    Sen Amy Sinclair, (641)-870-0199, amy.sinclair@legis.iowa.gov, Allerton

    Sen Roby Smith, (563)-386-0179, roby.smith@legis.iowa.gov, Davenport

    Sen Annette Sweeney, (641)-373-4899, annette.sweeney@legis.iowa.gov, Alden

    Sen Jack Whitver, (515)-281-3371, jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov, Spirit Lake

    Sen Brad Zaun, (515)-276-2025, brad.zaun@legis.iowa.gov, Urbandale

    Sen Dan Zumbach, (563)-920-5094, dan.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov, Ryan

    Rep Robert P. Bacon, Not Listed, rob.bacon@legis.iowa.gov, Nevada

    Rep Michael R. Bergan, (563)-380-3974, michael.bergan@legis.iowa.gov, Dorchester

    Rep Brian Best, (712)-830-1844, brian.best@legis.iowa.gov, Glidden

    Rep Jacob Bossman, (712)-251-4541, jacob.bossman@legis.iowa.gov, Sioux City

    Rep Holly Brink, (641)-295-7111, holly.brink@legis.iowa.gov, Oskaloosa

    Rep Gary L. Carlson, (563)-299-7021, gary.carlson@legis.iowa.gov, Muscatine

    Rep Dave Deyoe, (515)-382-2352, dave.deyoe@legis.iowa.gov, Nevada

    Rep Cecil Dolecheck, (641)-464-2913, cecil.dolecheck@legis.iowa.gov, Mount Ayr

    Rep Dean Fisher, (641)-750-3594, dean.fisher@legis.iowa.gov, Montour

    Rep Joel Fry, (641)-342-1017, joel.fry@legis.iowa.gov, Osceola

    Rep Tedd Gassman, (515)-538-0117, tedd.gassman@legis.iowa.gov, Scarville

    Rep Thomas D. Gerhold, (319)-361-2950, thomas.gerhold@legis.iowa.gov, Atkins

    Rep Pat Grassley, (319)-214-0351, pat.grassley@legis.iowa.gov, New Hartford

    Rep Chris Hagenow, (515)-274-1652, chris.hagenow@legis.iowa.gov, Urbandale

    Rep Mary Ann Hanusa, (712)-256-5159, mary.ann.hanusa@legis.iowa.gov, Council Bluffs

    Rep Lee Hein, (319)-480-1997, lee.hein@legis.iowa.gov, Monticello

    Rep Ashley Hinson, Not Listed, ashley.hinson@legis.iowa.gov, Marion

    Rep Dustin D. Hite, Not Listed, dustin.hite@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep Steven Holt, (712)-269-4042, steven.holt@legis.iowa.gov, Denison

    Rep Daniel Adair Huseman, (712)-434-5880, dan.huseman@legis.iowa.gov, Aurelia

    Rep Jon Jacobsen, Not Listed, jon.jacobsen@legis.iowa.gov, Council Bluffs

    Rep Tom Jeneary, (712)-539-1275, tom.jeneary@legis.iowa.gov, Le Mars

    Rep Megan Jones, (515)-991-7337, megan.jones@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep Bobby Kaufmann, Not Listed, bobby.kaufmann@legis.iowa.gov, Wilton

    Rep David Kerr, Not Listed, david.kerr@legis.iowa.gov, Morning Sun

    Rep Jarad Klein, Not Listed, jarad.klein@legis.iowa.gov, Keota

    Rep John Landon, (515)-249-0348, john.landon@legis.iowa.gov, Ankeny

    Rep Brian K. Lohse, (515)-519-2347, brian.lohse@legis.iowa.gov, Bondurant

    Rep Shannon Lundgren, (515)-428-0809, shannon.lundgren@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep David E. Maxwell, (641)-660-0792, dave.maxwell@legis.iowa.gov, Gibson

    Rep Ann Meyer, (515)-570-6610, ann.meyer@legis.iowa.gov, Fort Dodge

    Rep Joe Mitchell, Not Listed, joe.mitchell@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep Gary M. Mohr, Not Listed, gary.mohr@legis.iowa.gov, Bettendorf

    Rep Norlin G. Mommsen, (563)-357-9826, norlin.mommsen@legis.iowa.gov, DeWitt

    Rep Tom Moore, Not Listed, tom.moore@legis.iowa.gov, Griswold

    Rep Anne Osmundson, (563)-880-8227, anne.osmundson@legis.iowa.gov, Volga

    Rep Ross C. Paustian, (563)-284-6783, ross.paustian@legis.iowa.gov, Walcott

    Rep Sandy Salmon, (319)-987-3021, sandy.salmon@legis.iowa.gov, Janesville

    Rep Mike Sexton, (712)-830-3960, mike.sexton@legis.iowa.gov, Rockwell City

    Rep Jeff Shipley, (319)-432-3108, jeff.shipley@legis.iowa.gov, Fairfield

    Rep David Sieck, Not Listed, david.sieck@legis.iowa.gov, Glenwood

    Rep Ray Sorensen, (712)-525-0580, ray.sorensen@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep Phil Thompson, Not Listed, phil.thompson@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep Jon Thorup, (641)-891-9357, jon.thorup@legis.iowa.gov, Knoxville

    Rep Linda L. Upmeyer, (641)-357-8807, linda.upmeyer@legis.iowa.gov, Clear Lake

    Rep Skyler Wheeler, (712)-441-7444, skyler.wheeler@legis.iowa.gov, Not Listed

    Rep John H. Wills, (712)-330-9492, john.wills@legis.iowa.gov, Spirit Lake

    Rep Matt W. Windschitl, (712)-642-4334, matt.windschitl@legis.iowa.gov, Missouri Valley

    Rep Gary Worthan, (712)-732-6340, gary.worthan@legis.iowa.gov, Storm Lake

    Rep Louis J. Zumbach, Not Listed, louie.zumbach@legis.iowa.gov, Coggon

    ###

  • Statement on Governor’s explanation of DHS shakeup

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  18 June 2019

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen
    on Governor’s latest statement on departure of DHS Director

    “The Governor’s latest statement on the departure of Jerry Foxhoven is as clear as mud.

    “If the Governor has been working behind closed doors for nearly six months on a new direction, a new team and a new vision for the Department of Human Services, she needs to back up her rhetoric with positive action. This includes outlining her specific plans to:

    • Fix a privatized Medicaid system that is unsustainable, unaffordable and unaccountable.
    • Reverse course on policies that decimated the state’s successful family planning network, resulting in more unintended pregnancies, more risky births, more teenage mothers.
    • Present a comprehensive plan for adequately funding mental health services for children and adults.
    • Stop dangerous practices and procedures at Glenwood, Eldora and other at state-operated facilities.
    • Rebuild the child protective safety net instead of putting dangerous holes in it.
    • Explain to Iowans why she made the decision to replace Foxhoven (a) when her Administration is in the middle of negotiations with both out-of-state managed care organizations (MCOs) and (b) when hundreds of thousands of Iowans are two weeks away from transitioning to a new MCO.

    “Finally, I repeat my call for the Governor to immediately launch a nationwide search for a new Director of the Department of Human Services who is truly committed to watching out for the most vulnerable children and adults in Iowa.

    “When then-Director Chuck Palmer resigned in 2017, the Governor posted the opening on the website of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services (https://agency.governmentjobs.com/iowa/job_bulletin.cfm?jobID=1755326&sharedWindow=0) and that should be her first step to take in 2019.”

    ###

  • Statement on departure of Human Services director

    Iowa Senate News Release
    For Immediate Release:  17 June 2019

    Statement from Senate Democratic Leader
    on departure of DHS Director

    “The Governor needs to immediately launch a nationwide search for a new Director of the Department of Human Services who is truly committed to watching out for the most vulnerable children and adults in Iowa.

    “This means finding an advocate who will fight for more resources, push for stronger policies, and ensure that those policies are enforced for the betterment of all Iowans.

    “After years of mismanagement and neglect by Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans, Iowans deserve a new Director with the backbone necessary to put quality care and proper oversight ahead of special interests.

    “The damage they’ve done to Iowans includes:

    • Creating and supporting a privatized Medicaid system that is unsustainable, unaffordable and unaccountable. It’s so bad that the federal government has launched an investigation into whether officials in Iowa and other states are providing sufficient and appropriate oversight to ensure that people with Medicaid are receiving the care to which they are entitled.
    • Decimating the state’s successful family planning network, resulting in more unintended pregnancies, more risky births, more teenage mothers.
    • Inadequately funding mental health services for children and adults.
    • Allowing dangerous practices and procedures at Glenwood, Eldora and other at state-operated facilities.

    “Finally, it’s especially bad news for Medicaid recipients, health care providers and Iowa taxpayers that the Governor’s Director is leaving (a) in the middle of negotiations with both out-of-state managed care organizations (MCO) and (b) when hundreds of thousands of Iowans are two weeks away from transitioning to a new MCO.”

    ###

  • How to Override the 2019 Iowa Medical Cannabis Veto

    Legislative leaders announce next steps in the fight for
    Iowa medical cannabis reforms

    Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.

    “Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”

    In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”

    The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.

    “An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said.  “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done.  The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”

    The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.

    “The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes.  “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”

    ###

    News Conference: “Next Steps Toward Medical Cannabis Reform”

    Introduction

    You can help convince legislators to override Governor Reynold’s veto of HF 732, legislation to reform Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program.

    Ask your state senator and state representative to defend their vote by requesting a special session to override the Governor’s veto.

    Here’s a spreadsheet on how each legislator voted during the 2019 session, a link to the district they represent, and their email address: http://bit.ly/2019-Iowa-Medical-Cannabis-Vote

    If you aren’t sure who your legislators are, find out here: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find.

    We need 66 of the 96 House members who voted YES to request a special session and 34 of the 40 Senators who voted YES for HF 732. Encourage them to defend their votes and the people they represent!

    You have until June 28th to convince your legislators to do what’s right.

    Conditions Covered by HF 732

    • MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS)
      Medical cannabis has been found to decrease pain and symptoms of spasticity in people suffering from MS. HF 732 would ensure that their doctors can prescribe adequate amounts of this medication to manage their pain.
    • EPILEPSY
      HF 732 would simplify the process of obtaining medical cannabis, preventing seizures for those who suffer from epilepsy.
    • HIV/AIDS
      HF 732 would make it easier for Iowans to combat HIV with medical cannabis, avoiding the harmful symptoms associated with otherwise required medicines.
    • AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS)
      HF 732 gives Iowans easier access to medical cannabis, which can help treat symptoms of ALS such as appetite loss, depression, pain, muscular spasticity, drooling, and weakness. It may also prolong cell survival for ALS patients who suffer from the death of motor neuron cells.
    • CANCER
      HF 732 would make it easier and more effective for Iowans with cancer to benefit from medical cannabis. Medical cannabis can help alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy, including pain, neuropathy, nausea, vomiting, and anorexia.
    • PARKINSON’S DISEASE
      HF 732 would help Iowans with Parkinson’s treat tremor, stiffness, insomnia, dystonia, pain, dyskinesia, and weight loss with medical cannabis.
    • AUTISM
      HF 732 would make medical cannabis more accessible to Iowans with autism. One mother described how her son has benefited from medical cannabis: “He is more responsive and verbal, asking more thoughtful questions. He sleeps through the night and doesn’t wake up. He has a good appetite. He is less resistant and more manageable and cooperative.”
    • TERMINAL DISEASES
      HF 732 would make access to medical cannabis, an effective painkiller, significantly easier for terminally ill Iowans. Studies have shown it to be effective in managing pain from both the illness and from treatments such as chemotherapy.
    • SEVERE OR CHRONIC PAIN
      HF 732 changes the definition of a “debilitating medical condition” from “untreatable pain” to “severe or chronic pain.” This would make it easier for Iowans suffering from a variety of conditions to treat their pain with medical cannabis.
    Facebook Live with Senator Bolkcom 

    June 5, 2019

    June 11, 2019

    June 25, 2019

    Press Releases

    Legislative leaders announce next steps in the fight for
    Iowa medical cannabis reforms

    Legislative advocates for reforming Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis program say they will keep fighting for much needed reforms vetoed by Governor Reynolds.

    “Representative Forbes and I called on our colleagues to join us in calling for a special session to overturn Governor Reynold misguided veto of modest improvements to Iowa medical cannabis program,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “We are happy to report that every Democratic member of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House signed the call for a special session. Unfortunately, not a single Republican lawmaker acted to defend their votes.”

    In April, House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “We gave our Republican colleagues the opportunity to make a wrong by the governor into a right. They ignored us,” said Representative Forbes. “Now it is time to take action to make sure Iowa’s elected officials are advocates for people who are sick and not able to access and afford effective medicines.”

    The two legislators said they would immediately press for a legislative interim committee to prepare legislation for passage early in the next session beginning in January, 2020.

    “An interim committee would include public meetings and public input,” Bolkcom said.  “Secret meetings between the Governor and legislative Republicans failed to get the job done.  The Legislature needs to listen to patients and create a better program that meets their needs.”

    The Legislative Council Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday, July 11, 2019, at 11:30 a.m. in Room 22, at the State Capitol.

    “The July 11th meeting will be very important for Iowans who want to have the same access to effective medicines that most other Americans already have,” said Forbes.  “The goal now must be seeing the necessary medical cannabis reforms signed into law shortly after the January start of the 2020 session.”

    ###

    Iowa medical cannabis veto override
    more than halfway there
    —
    Iowans asked to contact legislators who voted for
    reforms but have yet to defend their votes

    Des Moines, Iowa – Iowans pushing to overturn Governor Reynold’s veto of medical cannabis reforms are more than halfway towards their goal of calling for a special session.

    House File 732 would have made substantial improvements to Iowa’s “worst in the nation” medical cannabis law.  It was overwhelmingly approved in April by the Iowa House on a vote of 96 to 3 and by the Iowa Senate on a vote of 40 to 7.

    A special session to override the veto will be held if two-thirds of the members of the House (67) and two-thirds of the Senate (34) each submit a written request.

    As of Monday, June 24, all of Iowa’s 18 Democratic State Senators and 47 Democratic State Representatives have all either submitted or plan to submit a request for a special session.

    It is unclear whether any of the Republicans who voted for the bill–50 in the House and 24 in the Senate–have requested a special session.

    “The voices of ordinary Iowans have gotten us this far.  They need to keep fighting because that is the only way this mean-spirited veto will be overridden,” said Senator Joe Bolkcom.  “I urge every Iowan to encourage Republican legislators to defend their votes for urgently needed Iowa medical cannabis reforms.”

    Below is a list of the members of the Iowa House and Senate who voted FOR Iowa medical cannabis reforms and who have not yet expressed support for a special session to override the veto.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dehqqOujW6dfT-GJur-EwF0jzvZSuK2k969BW-ZN6cM/edit?usp=sharing

    ###

    Articles and More
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  • Legislators call for override of Governor’s medical cannabis veto

    For Immediate Release: May 29, 2019 

    Legislators launch effort to override Governor’s veto on cannabis

    Suffering Iowans have waited long enough

    Des Moines, Iowa — Two Iowa lawmakers announced a statewide effort to override Governor Reynold’s last-minute veto to HF 732, a collection of urgently needed Iowa medical cannabis reforms.

    “The Governor’s last-minute veto was devastating to Iowans suffering from debilitating conditions– like cancer, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease– who worked for years to pass this legislation,” said Democratic State Rep. John Forbes, an Urbandale pharmacist. “But because they lived in Iowa, some died without access to effective medicines. Enough is enough. The 96 members of the Iowa House and the 40 members of the Iowa Senate who voted to help these Iowans must stand up and defend their votes.”

    “The bipartisan bill we approved last session, House File 732, does two main things. First, physician assistants and nurses can certify that you have one of covered conditions, and two, Iowa’s ridiculously low THC cap will be lifted. Iowa should no longer have the nation’s worst medical cannabis program. That’s common sense. That’s why it passed overwhelmingly in the Iowa House and Senate. And that’s why Iowans must insist that this legislation become law,” added State Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.

    Late Friday afternoon, Governor Reynolds vetoed House File 732, which was the last bill she took action on following the 2019 legislative session. To override the veto, two thirds of lawmakers in each chamber must request a special session of the Legislature to take action. Lawmakers will be receiving a letter and request to override the veto later this week.

    ###

  • Legislators disappointed by governor’s veto of bipartisan help for suffering Iowans

    Iowa House and Senate
    For Immediate Release:  May 24, 2019

    Legislative supporters of strengthening Iowa’s weak medical cannabis program are disappointed Governor Reynolds vetoed HF 732 today.

    “The Governor’s veto is distressing news for thousands of sick and vulnerable Iowans who deserve greater access to this life-changing medication. I’m deeply disappointed that the Governor vetoed this bi-partisan bill, which passed overwhelmingly in both the House and Senate,” said Representative John Forbes, an Urbandale pharmacist.

    For the last five years, sick, vulnerable Iowans from across the state have been a regular presence at the Iowa Statehouse. The focus this session was improving what has been called the nation’s “least helpful medical cannabis law.” House File 732 passed the Iowa House by a vote of 96 to 3 and the Iowa Senate by a vote of 40 to 7.

    “Iowa’s medical cannabis program is too bureaucratic, too expensive and makes thousands of sick Iowans needlessly suffer,” said State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City.  “Iowa’s law covers a very limited number of conditions and imposes arbitrary limits not found in other states.

    On February 23, 2019, the Iowa Poll found that 78% of Iowans want the state’s medical cannabis program expanded.

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  • Statement on Governor signing Health & Human Services budget

    “Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans worked in lock step to pass a budget rich with perks for special interests and out-of-state corporations rather than putting Iowans first. They supported taking away the civil rights of Iowans; implementing policies that will result in more unplanned pregnancies and abortions; and ignoring the concerns of Medicaid recipients, health care providers and taxpayers who are being harmed by privatized Medicaid.

    “Senate Democrats remain committed to expanding civil rights for Iowans, supporting policies that will result in fewer unplanned pregnancies and abortion, and making Medicaid accountable, affordable and sustainable again.”

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