In the News

Health care reform aims to insure all

The Gazette DES MOINES — State lawmakers Tuesday began a health care reform “journey” that is headed toward universal insurance coverage, with the first destination being a requirement that Iowa become the first state in the nation in which all children have coverage and a “medical home” as early as 2010.

Senate Study Bill 3140 seeks to extend existing Medicaid and state programs to another 25,000 Iowa children who are eligible for health care but currently not participating or excluded because the state cannot afford to pay their coverage. Another 19,000 remaining Iowa children without health care would be covered by a state subsidy to get them enrolled in private insurance plans.

“We are proposing basically an overall health care reform for the state of Iowa,” said Rep. Ro Foege, D-Mount Vernon, who has led the effort along with Sen. Jack Hatch, D-Des Moines. “It’s a huge bill, very complex, and we now have a long journey to work our way through the whole thing.

“We are wanting to cover every person in Iowa, that every person in Iowa has access to health care, but not totally at government expense,” he said.

Foege said state leaders expect by March to have estimates for costs associated with the health care package, which will get unique joint handling by House and Senate committees to achieve the goal of landing a final product on Gov. Chet Culver’s desk yet this year.

The proposals — for universal coverage, expanded telemedicine and medical recordkeeping, creation of “medical homes” focused on prevention and wellness efforts, and increased efforts to contain costs — were the product of a nearly yearlong study by an interim panel made up of legislators and stakeholders.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, conceded that some parts of the proposed legislation will be controversial and may get revised or modified.

Senate GOP Leader Ron Wieck of Sioux City accused majority Democrats of sending a mixed message by announcing that they did not intend to rely on the federal government for health care reform.

“I applaud you for not waiting on the federal government on the issue of affordable health care, but why is your party waiting for the federal government on an economic stimulus package and a solution on illegal immigration?” Wieck asked.

Contact the writer: (515) 243-7220 or rod.boshart@gazettecommunications.com

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