Health care | Iowa Senate Democrats

How can we stop the increase in Iowa suicides?

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Quality of life

The U.S. has seen a jump in suicides in recent years, with rural states being hardest hit. Iowa’s suicide rate increased more than 35 percent between 1999 and 2016. Mental illness, economic hardship, relationship problems, substance abuse, poor health and other crises increase a person’s risk of suicide. September’s National ...

What happens when you privatize Medicaid?

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, Official

In a video released Sunday, AJ+ looks at “what happens when a state puts a crucial social safety net in the hands of for-profit companies.” It’s a devastating report on Iowa’s Medicaid privatization that features Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque, as well as Iowans who are suffering under the #MedicaidMess.

Petersen: Medicaid increase is GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Consumer protections, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, Official, Quality of life

Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen on GOP’s ‘gut punch’ to Iowa taxpayers “Iowa families, health care providers and taxpayers received a gut punch today because of the mismanagement of privatized Medicaid by Governor Reynolds, Senate Republicans and House Republicans. “Taxpayers are being hurt because they must now pay ...

More Medicaid mess: Iowans lose access to dental care

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official

The Medicaid privatization disaster is getting even worse with the decision by UI’s College of Dentistry to stop taking new adult Medicaid patients. Oral health is the number one unmet need in Iowa adults.

Supreme Court decision is good for women’s health care

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official

The decision today by the Iowa Supreme Court is a victory for the constitutional rights of Iowa women. It’s a shame that Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are working overtime to prevent women from accessing health care. That’s wrong. They are politicians, not doctors.

Still no answers on Medicaid mess

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

The failure by the Reynolds Administration to come clean with Iowa taxpayers is even more reason for the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of Medicaid privatization that explains why it isn’t working.

Putting unconstitutional law on hold is good news for Iowa

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official

Governor Reynolds and other Iowa Republican politicians sent a horrible message to everyone in the United States when they passed this unconstitutional law. This dangerous law devalues women and girls and would further reduce access to quality, affordable health care across our state.

Governor: Reveal the numbers behind Medicaid savings claims

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Consumer protections, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

“We all know for-profit Medicaid has been a disaster for Iowa families and health care providers,” said Jochum. “I believe it has also been a disaster for the state budget. Governor Reynolds, I look forward to a public review of the hundreds of millions of dollars Iowa has spent on privatized Medicaid and the reforms that will start fixing Iowa’s Medicaid mess.”

Jochum to Auditor Mosiman: Open “special investigation” into claims of Iowa Medicaid savings

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Blog, Health care, Issues, News releases, Official, Transparency & accountability

Senator Pam Jochum of Dubuque has formally asked Mary Mosiman, the Auditor of the State of Iowa, to “audit the Iowa Medicaid program and the private managed care companies to document and determine the amount of ‘savings’ generated by privatizing the Iowa Medicaid program.”

2018 End-of-Session Report

6 years ago by ContentAdmin · Ag & Farming, Blog, Consumer protections, Education, Energy & Enviroment, Fiscal responsibility, Health care, Issues, Jobs & Economy, Official, Quality of life, Safer communities, Transparency & accountability, Veterans & service members, Working families

This session, we heard from thousands of Iowans who work hard but struggle to get by. They just want a decent-paying job and the chance to lead a happy, healthy life. Our job in the Legislature is to listen and work to improve the lives of everyday Iowans.

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