Prichard calls for emergency interim committee to develop a solution to the lack of options for individual insurance in Iowa
CHARLES CITY – With tens of thousands of Iowans facing a loss of health insurance coverage, Rep. Todd Prichard of Charles City today called on Governor Reynolds and Republican lawmakers to take immediate action to protect the health of Iowans. Iowa could become one of the only states in the country where there are no individual health plans available to purchase.
“Health care is a right not a privilege, and these health insurers leaving the market will leave far too many Iowans behind,” said Representative Todd Prichard. “By making health care coverage unaffordable and inaccessible for thousands of our neighbors, we will see more critical and emergency health situations, more employee absences, higher local taxes, and more lives unnecessarily put at risk. This action puts just one more burden on the shoulders of Iowa families, and this requires us to take action, and take action now.”
In April, Wellmark Blue Cross & Blue Shield, the state’s largest health care provider, announced they would no longer sell any individual policies in Iowa. Days later, Aetna followed suit with a similar announcement. Medica – the last remaining insurer – said earlier this month they were likely to exit the market. If all three exit from the individual market next year, 72,000 Iowans will be left without any options for health insurance.
“Coming into office last week, Governor Reynolds is uniquely positioned to call on these companies to reverse course and continue offering health plans to individuals who are seeking to purchase coverage. Her influence could make an impact on the lives of thousands of Iowans all across the state. If the Governor refuses to act, then the legislature must, and I will call on Speaker Upmeyer and Senator Dix to appoint an emergency legislative interim committee to immediately address this problem.”
“The choice is clear. Will Governor Reynolds and the Republican Party stand up for those Iowans who may lose health insurance or will they side with the insurance companies by standing silent? Iowa needs leadership now on this critical issue.”
While these health insurance companies in Iowa look to leave the exchange, the companies have made billions of dollars while tens of thousands of Iowans have seen double digit rate increases.
- In 2015, Wellmark’s total revenues were more than $2.5 billion(1)
- Wellmark has consistently pursued and enacted rate increases on Iowa policyholders:
- In 2012, the company raised rates by 9.35% (2)
- In 2013, the company raised rates by between 12.2% and 13.3% (3)
- In 2015, the company raised rates between 11.9% and 14.5% (4)
- In 2016, the company raised rates for Affordable Care Act compliant plans by 24.5% (5) and pre-Affordable Care Act plans by 17.6% (6)
- In 2017, the company raised rates for Affordable Care Act compliant plans by 42.6% (7)
- Aetna’s revenues in 2015 totaled more than $60 billion (8)
Sources:
1. https://iid.iowa.gov/
2. https://iid.iowa.gov/press-
5. https://iid.iowa.gov/press-
6. https://iid.iowa.gov/press-
7. https://iid.iowa.gov/press-
8. https://news.aetna.com/news-
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Charles City lawyer and Democratic state legislator Todd Prichard officially announced in May that he is running for governor after weeks of exploring the venture.
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I am sure your talking about the fat cat public servants and their donateions to your pac/party
“Healthcare is a right not a privilege”, but yet I forget which amendment it is, that states the government must provide healthcare. Get a decent job.
I think Prichard is bound to get the party’s nomination for governor. I think EVERY word he’s said since announcing his candidacy has been straight out of the Democratic party’s script. It’s already seeming like his words are perfectly in time with the large hand pulling the string coming out of his back. It’s very divisive – can’t this guy have an original thought of his own?!? I’ve voted for both parties, but there’s NO way I could vote for this guy if he keeps it up. Sorry.
Typical politacal talk here from Prichard. Revenues have nothing to do with “net profit.” These companies are in business to make money not lose money. If they lose money in a state like Iowa they are not going to do business here. Let’s face it the Affordable Care Act is not insurance, it is welfare for those with pre-existing conditions and I agree, we need a program to help those people but that is not insurance. You can’t call an insurance company after your house has been burnt down and ask for insurance, it is the same principal.
John – COMPLETELY agreed. You hit the nail(s) on the head(s).
Ah! Breitbart is your top news source, explains the idiocy.
The list of everything that insurance carriers call a “preexisting condition” varies from company to company, and includes hundreds & hundreds of possibilities.
It’s amazing, but there are dozens of Health conditions that people have but can still be productive members of society BECAUSE they have health care and medication, and many, they were born with.
Over the years, you may have had coworkers with epilepsy, rheumatoid arthritis, narcolepsy, continual migraines, clinical depression, Crohn’s disease, Diabetes 1, vertigo, anxiety disorder, lupus, etc. etc. You didn’t know, and they were WORKING, *BECAUSE* they had ongoing treatment.
Without it, many will lose their jobs and get too sick and stay unemployed. And you will hate them for THAT.
Is there ANY way at all to get you people to be less stupid?
There is information all around you but it’s invisible to you.
If the health care industry doesn’t provide a service that is affordable to all people, then the government must step in and either set the rates the industry can charge or take it over completely. Health care is an essential service. If you believe it’s not a right fine, but let’s say Alliant raised its rates by 2000%, would you say that gas and electric aren’t a right so you gotta pay or go without?
Much as some would like it to be health care is not a right. It is a service one person with knowledge and experience renders to another for some compensation. If health care is a right then politicians should work for free. Why should they be compensated for doing the peoples work?
Oh my god, this guy is clueless.