Vigilance needed with private Medicaid

I am listening and remain committed to addressing the difficulties private Medicaid has created for Iowa patients, health care providers and caregivers.
Medicaid recipients, caregivers, patient advocates and health care providers are invited to share their concerns and suggestions about the transition to private Medicaid at the front of the room. Representatives of Managed Care Organizations will be on hand to meet personally with anyone experiencing problems in the back of the room.
During the 2016 session, we tried to prevent these problems when a bipartisan Senate majority voted to stop the transition to private Medicaid (SF 2125), but the House refused to consider the bill.
Instead, we continue to hear from Iowans struggling to cut through the Medicaid red tape. Legislative Democrats have held help sessions in communities across the state to ensure Iowans get the assistance and answers they need.
These forums prepared us for a recent meeting of the Senate Human Resources Committee, where the Iowa Department of Human Services and Managed Care Organizations were asked what they’re doing to fix the ongoing Medicaid problems.
We must be vigilant about holding them accountable and insisting they do better by Iowa patients, health care providers and taxpayers. We will expect further updates and progress when the Health Policy Oversight Committee meets August 29 at the Statehouse.
Bipartisan Medicaid oversight legislation, approved as part of this year’s Health & Human Services Budget (HF 2460), will also help in the push for improvements. It sets standards for Medicaid services to ensure patients get the care they need, and calls for expanded reporting on consumer protections, health outcomes and program integrity.
You can follow our efforts, find out about upcoming meetings and subscribe to Medicaid updates at www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/Medicaid.
Additional information
This is a legislative update from Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, representing Howard, Chickasaw, Mitchell, Floyd, Worth and portions of Cerro Gordo and Winneshiek counties. For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/wilhelm.
To contact Senator Wilhelm during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 563-547-4156. E-mail her at mary.jo.wilhelm@legis.iowa.gov.
Senator Wilhelm is an assistant majority leader, chair of the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget and vice-chair of the Local Government Committee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Economic Growth, Education and Human Resources committees.

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204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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