From Senator Amanda Ragan of Mason City –
The decision to privatize Medicaid is not working.
In February, the three private managed care companies told legislators that they’re losing $450 million.
Subsequently, the Branstad-Reynolds Administration signed contract amendments with all three companies agreeing (after a certain point) for the state to take on more costs, while the managed care companies continue making a profit. This is completely contrary to the premise of privatizing Medicaid, which is supposed to move the risk to the insurance companies and bring stability to the state budget.
The revised Medicaid privatization plan will allow an additional $235 million in taxpayer money to go to the out-of-state, for-profit companies. This is on top of the $130 million they received from the Branstad-Reynolds Administration in October. In one year, Iowa taxpayers have coughed up more than $365 million above what was agreed to, in support of corporations that are not providing promised health care to Iowans.
All of this has been done without consulting the Legislature.
Iowa had one of the best-run Medicaid programs in the country. Many innovative, cost-effective strategies were just getting off the ground when Branstad-Reynolds unilaterally decided to privatize the program. Legislative Democrats said all along that privatized managed care was not right for Iowa, especially for people with disabilities and other long-term needs.
The only way to reduce costs and make a profit for the private companies is to deny, delay and drastically reduce services, and the amount paid for them. The real tragedy here is that Iowans are the ones suffering, while picking up a hefty price tag.
MASON CITY LISTENING POST
Saturday, April 8 @ 10:00 am
Mason City Public Library, 225 2nd St SE
Bla, Bla, Bla. It is the same thing she says every time. It is a Democrat ploy. Keep repeating it and maybe people will believe it.
If you, or someone in your family, are on Medicaid in this state you have a right to say something. But, if you are not on it nor is any member of your family, you don’t know anything about this disaster. From day 1 this privatization has been bad for Iowa and good for the insurance companies who run it.
Yes the $450 Million that Iowa tax payers are coughing up to keep it afloat is a sure sign of its success!
I really like this woman, but I really hate this picture. It looks like she has green hair and a purple shirt on when I see the thumbnail. Makes me think of the Joker from Batman.
i would presume it does not cover the illegals that are welcome to our sanctuary state – Fk the crooked port authority bill 28-J written by large corporations to steal money from hard working Iowans thu TIF and grants.being paid for by personal property tax increases.