Posts Tagged ‘mark smith’
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 14th, 2011
Representative Mark Smith honored Gayle Hellberg this week in Marshalltown. Gayle was recognized for starting the “Adopt-a-Veteran” program at the Iowa Veterans Home.
From the Marshalltown Times-Republican
Serving up presents to those who served
Adopt-A-Veterans party held at IVH
December 12, 2011
Mike Collins looked down at a box with brand new headphones and some items of clothing he just received and was smiling.
“It makes my heart feel good,” said the U.S. Army veteran as he looked over his gifts during the Adopt-A-Veteran party at Iowa Veterans Home.
Collins was among 52 veterans who received gifts Sunday from people in the community who took their gift requests from downtown businesses in the 10th year of the program, which is part of the Marshalltown Central Business District. Many of the veterans have no family in the area so these gifts might be the only ones they receive this holiday season.
Gayle Hellberg started the program and has served as chair of the effort for the past decade.
“It’s a thrill every year to see how excited the residents get,” Hellberg said. “For 10 consecutive years, all the gift requests were chosen. We think that’s just fabulous.”
Hellberg is stepping down as chair of the program this year and was honored with a framed certificate of recognition from Rep. Mark Smith, D-Marshalltown and Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center.
Several of the people who bought the gifts were on hand for the party to deliver them to the veterans. Staff members of the Marshalltown Public Library chipped in to buy a DVD player, which ended up as a holiday surprise for IVH resident Bill Edmundson.
“A lot of these folks are regulars at the library,” said Sandy Gowdy, assistant director of the library. “They are our friends and we know them well.”
Aside from two gifts each, every veteran in the program also received $10 in gift coupons to use at the IVH canteen that were purchased with money donated to the program.
There were plenty of smiles going around, both from the veterans and the gift givers at the party, which also included cookies and music.
“I’m here every year and I like it,” Collins said. “I appreciate the support of the people.”
http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/545156/Serving-up-presents-to-those-who-served.html?nav=5005
Tags: Iowa Veterans Home, mark smith, Marshalltown iowa
Category Members in the News, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 10th, 2010
House Democrats Appoint Budget Team
House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy and Assistant Democratic Leaders Ako Abdul-Samad, Mary Mascher, Mark Smith, and Sharon Steckman today announced their budget team for the 2011 legislative session. State Representative Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids will be the lead Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee.
In addition to Rep. Olson, the following members will serve as the Ranking Member of the appropriations subcommittees:
- Administration & Regulation: Rep. Mary Gaskill
- Agriculture & Natural Resources: Rep-elect Chris Hall
- Economic Development: Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt
- Education: Rep. Cindy Winckler
- Health & Human Services: Rep. Lisa Heddens
- Justice Systems: Rep. Todd Taylor
- Transportation, Infrastructure & Capitals: Rep. Dennis Cohoon
Tags: Ako Abdul-Samad, Budget Subcommittees, chris hall, Cindy Winckler, Dennis Cohoon, Kevin McCarthy, Kirsten Running-Marquardt, Lisa Heddens, mark smith, Mary Gaskill, mary mascher, Ranking Members, Sharon Steckman, Todd Taylor
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: December 6th, 2010
Iowa House Democrats elected State Representative Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines as the new House Democratic Leader today in a meeting at the State Capitol in Des Moines.
House Democrats are committed to strengthening our economy and helping create jobs. We will work together on the main stream, bread and butter issues that effect the every day lives of Iowans. However, if Republicans steer to more extreme policies at the expense of ordinary Iowans, we will make our voices heard.
Democrats also elected four Assistant Democratic Leaders who include: Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad of Des Moines, Rep. Mark Smith of Marshalltown, Rep. Sharon Steckman of Mason City, and Rep. Mary Mascher of Iowa City.
There are seven new House Democrats who were elected earlier this month: Chris Hall of Sioux City, John Wittneben of Estherville, Dan Kelley of Newton, Dan Muhlbauer of Crawford County, Mary Wolfe of Clinton, Ruth Ann Gaines of Des Moines, and Anesa Kajtazovic of Waterloo. House Democrats will gather again in December to plan for the 2011 legislative session.
Tags: Ako Abdul-Samad, Kevin McCarthy, mark smith, mary mascher, Sharon Steckman
Category 2011 Session Information, Featured, Recent News |
Author: deanfiihr Published: April 14th, 2010
Senate File 2356
Directs DHS to amend the extension proposal for the IowaCare program to provide expansion population services through a phased in approach, utilizing the 14 Federally Qualified Health Centers statewide. Creates a mechanism to expand the IowaCare provider network to include private providers, and hospitals designated by the Department subject to availability of funds. Eestablishes a mechanism to leverage additional federal monies through certified public expenditures to compensate University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a portion of the costs associated with physician care. Directs DHS to develop this plan in a phased in approach and to consult with the Medical Assistance and Projections Council and receive their approval prior to implementation. Establishes a payment mechanism for the regional provider network to receive payment for primary care services to IowaCare members. Directs the Department to adopt rules in collaboration with the Medical Home Advisory Council specifying the requirements and certification of a medical home. Directs the Department of Public Health to work with the appropriate entities to develop a plan for coordination of care for individuals with diabetes receiving care through members of the Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network.
Division II of SF2356 creates an insurance exchange in Iowa, the purpose of which is to establish an information clearinghouse where all Iowans can obtain information about health care coverage that is available in this state including availability of care delivered by safety-net providers and comparisons of benefits, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs. The bill specifies the nature of the information to be provided to consumers in making decisions about purchasing or acquiring health care coverage. The bill also establishes that the commissioner is to make recommendations to the Legislative Health Care Commission at each meeting of the Commission including those related to the promotion of greater transparency in providing quality data on health care providers and health care coverage plans and in providing data on the cost of medical care that is easily accessible to the public, statutory options that improve seamlessness in the health care system in this state and funding opportunities to increase health care coverage in the state, particularly for individuals who have been denied access to health insurance coverage.
House File 2370
Enterprise Zones are designed to stimulate development by targeting economically distressed areas in Iowa. Through state and local tax incentives, businesses and developers are encouraged to make new investments, and create or retain jobs in these areas. The goal of the program is to revitalize these areas and make them competitive with other locations throughout the state. Under current law, certification of enterprise zones ends on July 1, 2010. This law extends the deadline for 2 years to July 1, 2012. In addition, the cap under the program is eliminated since the program will fall under the tax credit cap for economic development programs created last year and modified in SF 2380, the tax credit reform bill pending the Governor’s signature.
House File 2483
Relates to trusts and estates including provisions relating to state inheritance tax, uniform transfers to minors, and medical assistance claims. This bill specifies that retirement plans subject to federal income tax when paid to a beneficiary are not subject to state inheritance tax. Increases transfers to minors from $10,000 to $25,000 under Uniform Law provisions. Allows electronic notice to DHS on estates in order to let DHS decide whether to make a Medicaid claim. This bill allows for distribution of property by affidavit if the property does not exceed $25,000. It states that remedies for a trustee’s failure to inform and account are not available for trusts created prior to July, 2002. In addition, this bill allows a transfer agent to request certification of the existence of a trust and of the identity of a trustee. This bill also adds provisions that allow the consent of a person, who can represent another, binding unless the represented person objects before the consent becomes effective and only applicable to written consents prior to July, 2010.
Senate File 2388
Creates a program that assesses urban hospitals a fee that would generate $40 million that can be used as a match for the state’s Medicaid program, and those funds are deposited in the Hospital Health Care Access Trust Fund. Hospitals are limited in the funds they can receive by the federal Upper Payment Limit ($69.1 million). Hospitals would receive a $20.5 million appropriation from the Trust Fund for a provider rate increase. The $20.5 million is then matched to draw down $48.6 million to reach the federal Upper Payment Limit of $69.1 million. The state nets $19.4 million for Medicaid expenses. The legislation also includes funding for hospital re-basing at $4.5 million in FY 12 and $6 million in FY 13.
Senate File 2331
Adds chiropractic as a covered service for hawk-i enrollees. Chiropractic is not currently specifically listed as a covered service. The legislation also allows any chiropractor who is licensed in the state of Iowa to be a participating provider in the hawk-i program. This means that a hawk-i participating health plan cannot limit their network if chiropractors want to be a hawk-i provider.
Tags: Chet Culver, Enterprise Zones, Health Care, mark smith, Phyllis Thede, state inheritance tax
Category 2010 Session Information, Health Care |
Author: deanfiihr Published: January 26th, 2010
House and Senate Democratic legislators today proposed legislation to continue making health care more affordable and accessible to Iowans. The Iowa Legislature’s 2010 Health Care Reform Bill makes immediate improvements and sets the groundwork to use future increases in federal health care funding to benefit Iowans.
It is based on recommendations approved unanimously by the bipartisan Legislative Health Care Coverage Commission. This commission included Democratic and Republican legislators as well as representatives of insurers, health care providers and consumers.
Dr. Dave Carlyle, an Ames family physician, chaired the commission. “Iowa health care providers, insurers and health care consumers were in agreement on the steps required to extend coverage to more Iowans. This legislation reflects our recommendations,” Carlyle said.
“In Iowa, tens of thousands of children and families have already benefited because we have expanded coverage and increased affordability. We have broad public support because Iowans understand that improving access to affordable health care makes our state a better place to live and a more attractive place to do business,” said State Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines. “With this legislation, the Legislature will continue to reduce costs, protect and expand patient choice, and work toward assuring quality affordable health care for all Iowans.”
“This legislation allows Iowans to receive primary care closer to home, creates an information exchange to help small businesses and families make smart choices when buying insurance and sets forth an agenda for real help for middle class Iowans who are deeply worried about losing their health care,” said State Representative Mark Smith of Marshalltown.
The leaders of the Iowa House and Senate stressed the importance of federal cooperation.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said: “We are doing our job. Iowa is recognized national for making good choices and spending federal dollars wisely. But we can’t accomplish our goals without a strong active federal partner.”
House Speaker Pat Murphy said: “States are now the focus of federal health reforms. And no matter what happens in Congress, innovative states like Iowa will benefit because we are reaching out to families without health care and families worried about losing their coverage. Every step we take towards solving Iowa’s health care problems lays the groundwork for Iowa’s future economic growth.”
The 2010 Health Care Reform Bill has three main sections:
Regional Provider Network: Allows Iowans in need to receive primary care closer to home
A new Regional Provider Network will be created under the existing IowaCare health plan. This will assist Iowans with incomes of up to 200% of poverty level and uses currently available funds.
Iowa Choice Exchange: Will help Iowans find the right health insurance plan
The new Iowa Choice Exchange is an information clearinghouse that makes it easier for individuals and small business employees to compare insurance plans using transparent, standardized information that includes data on quality.
IowaCare Plus: Will help working and middle class families afford health care
IowaCare Plus is a new plan for people with incomes of 200 to 400% of poverty, contingent on federal funding. Families with incomes of up to 300% will pay subsidized premiums. Families with incomes from 300 to 400% of poverty will purchase plans according to affordability guidelines passed last year.
Helping Rural Hospitals:
When the Iowa Cares program is expanded, rural hospitals will finally be reimbursed for emergency services and other care which is currently uncompensated. This will protect health care facilities and jobs in Iowa’s rural communities.
Tags: dave carlyle, Health Care, health care coverage commission, mark smith
Category 2010 Session Information, Health Care |
