DES MOINES — After successful rallies in Des Moines and Waterloo yesterday, the Healthiest Iowa Initiative today announced details for tomorrow’s “Medicaid Madness” rally that will be held in Ames at the Governor’s Conference on Public Health. The rally will educate Iowans about Medicaid expansion and ask them to contact their elected officials and Governor Branstad to support Medicaid expansion. Speakers will include local health care professionals and representatives from citizen organizations.
More than 1,400 have signed a petition in support of Medicaid expansion, in addition to the 27 organizations who are part of the Healthiest Iowa Initiative. More information about the Healthiest Iowa Initiative can be found at www.healthiestiowa.com.
MEDICAID MADNESS RALLY
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: Anne Kinzel, Vice Chair, Iowa Care Givers Association
Dr. Selden Spencer, M.D., Neurologist, 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.
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.
