27 organizations have joined and more than 1,200 have signed the petition with the Healthiest Iowa Initiative, including small business owners, health care providers, and citizen organizations who support Medicaid expansion –
DES MOINES — The Healthiest Iowa Initiative today announced locations and details for “Medicaid Madness” rallies that will be held on Sunday, April 7th and Tuesday, April 9th. The rallies, which will educate Iowans about Medicaid expansion and ask them to contact Governor Branstad to support Medicaid expansion, will take place in Des Moines, Waterloo, Davenport, and Ames. More information about the Healthiest Iowa Initiative can be found at www.healthiestiowa.com.
“Medicaid Madness” Upcoming Events
WATERLOO
WHEN: Sunday, April 7th, 2:00 PM
WHERE: Lincoln Park, East 4th & Franklin, Waterloo, Iowa
WHAT: Rally/Press Conference in support of Medicaid Expansion
WHO: Belinda Creighton-Smith, Pastor
Keenan Crown, University of Northern Iowa student
Chris Schwartz, Organizer, Working Families Win
Midge Slater, Organizer, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
Faith Temple Baptist Choir
DAVENPORT
WHEN: Sunday, April 7th, 2:00 PM
WHERE: NAMI office, 1706 N Brady St, Davenport, Iowa
WHAT: Rally/Press Conference in support of Medicaid Expansion
DES MOINES
WHEN: Sunday, April 7th, 2:00 PM
WHERE: West Capitol Steps, East 9th & Grand Ave, Des Moines, Iowa
WHAT: Rally/Press Conference in support of Medicaid Expansion
WHO: Senator Jack Hatch, Des Moines
Jan Laue, President, Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
Sue Dinsdale, Executive Director, Iowa Citizen Action Network
AMES
WHEN: Tuesday, April 9th, 7:45 AM
WHERE: Outside the Scheman Center on Iowa State University campus, the corner of Beach & Lincolnway, Ames, Iowa
WHAT: Rally/Press Conference in support of Medicaid Expansion prior to the Governor’s Conference on Public Health
WHO: Dr. Selden Spencer, Physician, Ames
Sue Dinsdale, Executive Director, Iowa Citizen Action Network
Matt Sinovic, Executive Director, 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. Although the Iowa Senate passed full Medicaid expansion, the House will likely adopt the Governor’s plan and negotiations will continue. As they do, participants in the Healthiest Iowa Initiative will continue to reach out to their elected officials to make sure the voices of Iowans are heard.
The 27 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
SEIU Local 199
South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Working Families Win.
