DES MOINES – As the privatization of Iowa’s Medicaid program churns along, hearings will be held next week at the state capitol to increase awareness of its progress.
Democrats and some citizens in the program remain skeptical of Governor Terry Branstad’s privatization of Medicaid, which affects hundreds of thousands of citizens in the program, as well as health providers who treat them. Some say all has not gone smoothly, as providers are not being paid in a timely manner and those suffering health issues have had to change doctors and hospitals. The Governor says the privatization move has saved the state a lot of money and streamlined the program.
In the latest development, a Medicaid Listening Post will be held at 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM in Room 116 at the Iowa statehouse on Monday, August 29.
Iowa Medicaid members and providers will give three minute statements on privatized Medicaid. All legislators are invited to attend and listen.
To sign up to speak, you should complete the form here: thttp://bit.ly/Medicaid-August-29
The session will be livestreamed at http://bit.ly/IowaSenateLive.
Later that same day, the Legislature’s Health Policy Oversight Committee Meeting will be held from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM in Room 103.
Legislators from the House and Senate will review data from the first three months of privatized Medicaid in Iowa and decide what to do next.
The agenda: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/committees/meetings/agenda?meetingID=23164
The session will be live streamed at: http://bit.ly/IowaSenateLive
