MASON CITY – The Healthiest Iowa Initiative held its “Medicaid Madness” tour on Wednesday, March 27th in Mason City and other Iowa communities.
The events were meant to educate Iowans about Medicaid expansion and ask them to contact Governor Terry Branstad to support Medicaid expansion.
Two speakers were present at the Mason City event: Chris Petersen of the Iowa Main Street Alliance and John Colombo, President, North Iowa Nine Labor Council. See video below for their remarks.
According to Progress Iowa, 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.
More information about the Healthiest Iowa Initiative can be found at www.healthiestiowa.com.
Video:
httpv://youtu.be/c4JVKUj5Do8
We got to many poor people here now cut there freebies and they will move. I know welfare ho’s that smokes they are fat do nothing but take my money then they vote for them crooks that makes me sick to my stomach when they come on the TV. Let them scum go to Chicago or St Louis where they fit in better that way we dont have to keep paying.
Yup, that one penny you spend for the fat welfare lady bugs you so much, you vote for the guys that will make you spend $54,000 for the military.
Yup, you’re really concerned about your wallet, I can tell…
Fed govt is broke…borrowing 100+ billion a month…expansion is simply having the fed govt borrow even more of what they dont have to pay for things they cant afford. It doesnt matter if it is the state or fed…if fed says they will reimburse the states..with what? They are borrowing 36 cents of every dollar. So the fed borrows…to pay the states..disgusting.
Insurance does not = health care. Just because you have health care insurance, you have to chose the level that you want.
I choose a high deductible plan, you pay a much lower rate, but most of your out of pocket cost go to the deductable. I am better off in the long run. If anything bad happens, I am covered, much like full coverage auto insurance. Insurance is to protect you to cover a loss, not to pay for your health care. I Take the savings from the difference in premiums and put them in a health savings account, it earns interest be it small right now but it is you money and not wasted on insurance.
spelling, I ment it is your money
@John-It makes a difference if you have as much money as you do. Try it when you are at the poverty level. Medicaid is not for people like you but for people who do not have as much and can not afford expensive insurance. These people will continue to use the E.R.’s because that is all they have unless something is done to help them. My brother now pays over $800 a month for a $1,800 deductible policy with WelMark. Try that on minimum wage at $1,200 p/mo. It is time for Republicans to wake up and help these people help themselves before they end up having to do all their dirty work themselves. These are the people that made some of you rich.
Excellent points LVS. My spouse works in the healthcare business and would tell you the exact same thing. The un and underinsured continue to use ER’s as a doctors office or not see a doctor at all which isnt right either. Prevention continues to be the best money saving effort that we can promote, and medicaid has to be there for them to do that. Branstad is out of touch becuase for some people to pay a premium would be the differance between making ends meet or not. This is a very involved and complex subject and needs alot of guidance from people who are on the front line of medical care.
This one I agree with. Iowa Works will not do what Medicaid will do. Not even close. And for Branstad to think these low income people can afford to pay a premium for their insurance just shows how out of touch he is with the real world. It just won’t happen and they will continue to go to the E.R.’s just like now. Now they wait until they are very sick before going but, under medicaid they will be able to do some prevention. Come on Terry-wake up.