To the Editor,
Here’s something every Iowan can be proud of. Our state ranks near the very top when it comes to making sure children have good health and dental care.
Unfortunately, that could change if you and I don’t take action soon.
The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a partnership between the federal government and every state. It covers children and pregnant women who can’t afford private insurance and earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.
Hawk-i is Iowa’s version of CHIP and it is one of the nation’s best! It is the main reason why Iowa children have an uninsured rate of less than 4 percent!
Compared to uninsured children, children with health insurance do better in school and miss fewer days. They are more likely to graduate from high school, more likely to attend college, and more likely to earn higher wages. In addition, parents with healthy kids miss less work and are more productive workers.
Children’s health insurance is a great deal for Iowa’s state budget. Currently, we invest $8.5 million and the federal government covers the rest of the $133 million budget.
Recently, a bipartisan pair of U.S. Senators, Senators Hatch and Wyden, have announced continue federal funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). However, time is running out. If Congress misses the deadline, it will be a blow to Iowa children and to Iowa’s state budget.
We’ve come so far when it comes to making sure every child can see a doctor when they need too. Let’s not go backwards.
Take a minute today to reach out to Iowa’s members of Congress. Encourage them to renew the Children’s Health Insurance Program. You call the U.S. Capitol switchboard toll free by calling 1-877-210-5351.
Senator Amanda Ragan
Mason City, Iowa
Send your letter to the editor to NorthIowaToday@gmail.com
NOTE: The opinions expressed in letters to the editor are not necessarily those of NorthIowaToday.com.
YOU will NEVER hear them (so called government) that they will have to cut expenses – if they do they just add another department and start all over – Government is BLOATED and that is why the private sector call them fat cats – WELFARE FARMERS collecting large amounts of money every year because of all the farmers or farmer related elected doinks in charge elected officals). More than a little shady if you ask us.
EARNS TOO MUCH are the key words.
Ms. Ragan,
Somewhere there is a “poverty level” that society sets for a reason. It is always been my understanding that my responsibility as a caring citizen provides assistance for those in NEED and that “poverty level is the level where we determine WHO can and can not afford basic needs.
This is about personal priorities. Somewhere along the line it appears you have decided it is my responsibility to provide for EVERYONE. It’s ok with you that even if you can afford to purchase your own health care, it don’t matter. Just go our for a beer, or the movies, take a vacation and enjoy yourself. The poor working folks will pick up the tab.
You really have it most awfully wrong!
.Iowa has already built federal funding for hawk-i into its fiscal year 2018 budget. If federal CHIP funding is not renewed, state lawmakers would have to make up the shortfall by raising taxes, pulling back on other budget priorities or cutting kids off coverage.
Oh and by the way, two years ago when CHIP was last reauthorized, it was supported by both of Iowa’s US Senators, Sen. Chuck Grassley and Sen. Joni Ernst.
So perhaps you should contact Grassley & Ernst on this, so that you can cut low-income kids off of healthcare. Or create even more issues with Iowa’s already disastrous budget which came courtesy of Branstad & all of your other Republican buddies.
Thank you and others for keeping The Dog on his leash. He is so often so terribly misinformed.
Baxter (f), Gassman (f), Steckman(s), Upmeyer (f) – 420
Brown (f), Bloomingdale (f) – $333 .
Guth (f) $344
Pritchard, Ragan – declined,
This is what our area legislators pay per month for insurance. (f) means a family policy (which costs much more) is in use (s) means a single policy is in use. In case you didn’t know, Steckman, Ragan and Pritchard are spend, spend, spend democrats, the rest are republicans who are watching out for the little guys.. Not really.
My mistake – the number after baxter, gassman, steckman, upmeyer should be $20 not 420.
This is the same boat 50% of Iowas adults are in – the private sector WORKING class.
Hey Amanda, here’s a tip. We, the citizens, want the same healthcare you are receiving as an elected representative of the people of Iowa. You are no better than the public you serve. We’re tired of the politicians elitist perks.
Amanda Ragan does not even use the Healthcare offered to her by the state. She declined the “Perk” of healthcare.
Try doing so research before you spew and make yourself look like a fool
well, she is part of the legislature whose other members are receiving better costs for their health care than the public so she should use her voice to correct the atrocity. Don’t call someone a fool as you are one also. the public didn’t vote for the legislators health care plans, the legislators did so you are wrong to try to say she isn’t guilty of the inequity. So shove that up your a–
You stated that you want the same healthcare as she gets as an elected official. She does not get any healthcare has elected official…her choice
Like I said, you should do some research.
like the person posting states, she should make certain that those elected do not have special perks concerning health care that she(all legislators) have available to them which are not available to the public. it is her responsibility to oversee such discrepancies and just because she chose not to participate does not excuse her of her guilt on the subject. so maybe you should research on the duty of a representative. she needs to be elected out of office like all those who think they should receive better than they are willing to provide for their constituents. so enroll yourself in a reading comprehensive class and educate yourself.
^^Anonymous September 19, 2017 at 5:27 pm
So you put it all on Amanda Ragan (that did not gouge the system) but not one peep about the illustrious Iowa Speaker of the House Linda Upmeyer that raped the taxpayers by only paying $20/ month.
Upmeyer has way more clout than Ragan, but not one word out of you about her stealing from the Iowa taxpayers.
Pathetic, you’re the one that needs a reading comprehensive class & a reality check.
^^@ Anonymous September 19, 2017 at 5:46 pm
Very well said! Very very well said! Thank you!
Ragan didn’t take Healthcare from the state because she gets it free from the county. Same deal, both are government.
Can’t stand the truth can you stupid?
That is funny LVS, coming from you that cowardly deletes other peoples comments & gets away with it by kissing ass.
Ass kisser defined:
noun
1. a person who sucks up to people in a position of authority in order to get some kind of reward or perks.
2. the practice or an instance of attempting to curry favor by the excessive use of compliments, praise, or the like.
3. See LVS
For your insults to have any affect I would have to respect your opinion and I certainly don’t. I consider you to be mentally deranged.