From Rep. Linda Upmeyer –
This week wrapped up the second legislative funnel, which means in order for a policy bill to remain eligible for consideration this year, it is required to have passed either the House or Senate and a committee of the other chamber.
One piece of legislation I am disappointed the Senate chose not to consider was HF 247. This bill passed with bipartisan support in the House and would require an asset verification process for recipients of Medicaid. The purpose of the proposal is to prevent fraud, misrepresentation, and the inappropriate use of Iowa’s Medicaid program.
Iowans are a very caring, giving and sharing group of people. When help is needed, we answer the call. Iowans also demand accountability and transparency in their government. HF 247 encompasses these Iowa values.
Eliminating fraud in Medicaid not only protects the taxpayer’s investment, but it also means more of the money that is intended to help those in need, is actually received by those individuals. I’m perplexed as to why there isn’t more interest in accomplishing this initiative.
Every year we hear that we need more money for programs like Medicaid, and while that might be appropriate, we should constantly be vigilant that the programs aren’t being abused. The first step before increasing funding should always be to ensure that taxpayer dollars currently appropriated are being spent appropriately.
There should be nothing more precious to us, as your elected officials, than the dollars you send us. When we have a clear opportunity to reduce the amount of fraud and inappropriate use of taxpayer dollars, we have a duty to do that. It’s easy to spend the money, but the hard part is ensuring your hard-earned tax dollars are being spent wisely. It is our responsibility to do the hard work and take these necessary steps.
HF 247 would ensure taxpayer dollars are being used in the most efficient manner possible to help Iowans truly in need. It is unfortunate the Iowa Senate chose not to keep this proposal alive.
5 thoughts on “Legislative update from Rep. Linda Upmeyer”
After all that has NOT happened in our legislature this session, all good old girl Linda can come up to write about is a bill that seems to be a no-brainer for all to support. What is her stance on the medical marijuana bill that is still in committee? How does she justify not having a school aid bill passed at this time-8 days before schools must submit their budget for the following year? Where is she on tax breaks? How does our infrastructure financing coming along? She doesn’t care.
@bodacious-I am pretty sure she answered all of your questions in her last report. I remember reading them but can’t remember exactly when. It was on NIT though.
When asked about medical marijuana
Upmeyer, a registered nurse said, “Would I prescribe it? No, I wouldn’t. I don’t have the evidence to support it.”
Even though in 2008 the American Nurses Association issued a position statement “In Support of Patients’ Safe Access to Therapeutic Marijuana”
Upmeyer is just another corporate shill & Koch lover.
Anyone else ever notice that she has those same Bat Shit crazy eyes like Michele Bachmann & Steve King?
You mean like Clinton don’t you.
I agree. She won’t discuss medical marijuana with anyone. She just states it needs more study. Well, she was behind the growler wholeheartedly. I am sure she asked about the problems that might occur with growlers legalized in Iowa. But, someone must have done a study saying that more beer isn’t harmful to anyone and no one will ever abuse alcohol. She is a perfect definition of hypocrite.