While session ended last spring, we continue to hear many stories from Iowans that Medicaid privatization keeps getting worse, not better. We’ve heard from Iowans who have been denied critical care and essential medical equipment like walkers and wheelchairs. We’ve heard from others who have had services severely reduced or cut altogether. In one case, an [...]
Since the Governor unilaterally privatized Medicaid in 2016, people have been systematically denied critical care, essential medical equipment and have had their services severely reduced or cut altogether. Providers have had to close their doors, or like the University of Iowa Dental School, have stopped taking Medicaid patients altogether because the Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) are [...]
After years of bipartisan work, a bill that begins the process of reforming the mental health system in Iowa has been signed into law. To fill critical gaps in the system, the new law will allow more Iowans to access mental health services and also provides several new choices to patients and their physicians in determining [...]
According to a new report released by the State Ombudsman Office, there has been a 157% increase in Medicaid-related problems reported to the agency in 2017. Most of these complaints came from the members and providers involved in Home and Community Based Waivers (HCBS), services that allow people to stay in their homes rather than moving [...]
Iowa women will face new restrictions on difficult medical decisions next year while also having less access to family planning and cancer screening services. In the closing days of the legislative session, Republicans passed legislation that will leave thousands of Iowa women without access to critical health care services, like cancer screenings, birth control, and STD [...]
In a surprise ending, the Legislature passed language that will allow persons with a valid registration card to get cannabidiol with a THC level of not more than 3% in Iowa. This was done as a next step to Iowa’s current Medical Cannabidiol Act, which left many families without the ability to get the medication here [...]
Despite objections from thousands of Iowans, Republicans at the State Capitol unraveled 40 years of teachers, firefighters, law enforcement, and other working Iowans having a voice in their own workplace this year. Written behind closed doors without input from Iowa workers, House File 291 gutted public sector collective bargaining rights and returns working Iowans to a [...]
