DES MOINES — The Healthiest Iowa Initiative today announced locations and details for the “Medicaid Madness” tour that will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, March 27th. The events, which will educate Iowans about Medicaid expansion and ask them to contact Governor Branstad to support Medicaid expansion, will take place in Waterloo, Davenport, Mason City, Ottumwa, and Cedar Rapids. More information about the Healthiest Iowa Initiative can be found at www.healthiestiowa.com.
MASON CITY
WHEN: Wednesday, March 27th, 9:00 AM
WHERE: Cerro Gordo County Courthouse; 220 N Washington Ave, Mason City, Iowa
WHO: Chris Petersen, Iowa Main Street Alliance
John Colombo, IBEW
Accepting Medicaid expansion would cover an additional 150,000 Iowans – uninsured young adults, veterans, the working poor, and mentally ill. Although he has objected to expansion because of a potential failure on the part of the federal government to honor its commitments, Governor Branstad’s alternative plan costs Iowa more and still relies on the federal government for funding. Full details of the Governor’s plan have not been released, but reviews of the limited information that is available indicate that the Governor’s proposal would cost the state more while providing fewer Iowans with the health security they need.
The 26 organizations participating in the Healthiest Iowa Initiative include AFSCME Iowa Council 61, Americans for Democratic Action, AMOS, Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa, Disability Rights Iowa, Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, Iowa Human Needs Advocates, Iowa Main Street Alliance, Iowa Mental Health Planning Council, Iowa Olmstead Consumer Task Force, Iowa State Education Association, Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council, NAMI Greater Des Moines, National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upper Midwest Chapter, One Iowa, Passageway, Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa, Progress Iowa, Progressive Action for the Common Good, South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, and Working Families Win.
In addition to learning about Medicaid expansion at Medicaid Madness events, Iowans are encouraged to sign the following petition at www.healthiestiowa.com: Iowa has the opportunity to approve a Medicaid expansion as part of Obamacare. We call on Governor Branstad to take this opportunity to help thousands of Iowans rather than pursue a plan that costs more, covers fewer and has no guarantee of federal funding. There are no real reasons – only political rhetoric – for failing to support Medicaid expansion in Iowa.
