DES MOINES – Today 48 of Iowa's influential health providers, consumer and patient advocates, and faith groups
joined together to ask Iowa's state leaders to expand Medicaid health coverage for hardworking Iowans who make
annually make up to 133 percent of federal poverty level, or $25,390 per year for a family of three.
The groups supporting expansion include the Iowa Hospital Association, the Iowa Medical Society, AARP, the American
Cancer Society CAN, the Iowa Catholic Conference, and the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church.
"The Iowa Hospital Association supports Medicaid expansion for the simple reason that insuring more Iowans
is good for everyone, whether you provide health care, have your own insurance, own a business or just want
Iowa to be a better and more prosperous place," said Kirk Norris, IHA President and CEO. "IHA is proud
to join with nearly 50 other prominent and powerful Iowa groups in calling upon our state leaders to enact
Medicaid Expansion under the parameters of the ACA."
Norris explained that while the organizations have not organized as a formal coalition, it is significant that this
broad range of diverse organizations have joined together with the common goal of expanding Medicaid in
Iowa. He said each group offers a unique perspective on the issue and will continue to implement their own
strategy for engaging on Medicaid Expansion. "It is our differences and unique perspectives that make our
shared message so powerful, and we hope our state leaders will set aside their differences and come together
on this issue that directly affects the health and quality of care of low-income Iowans and the Iowans who
provide that care. "
"Iowans expect our leaders to come together on solutions for improving health care in Iowa, and expanding
Medicaid is a necessary piece of that puzzle," said AARP State President, Tony Vola.
Vola noted that approximately 17,204 Iowans who are uninsured and would be eligible for Medicaid
Expansion are between the ages of 50-64.
"Expanding Medicaid will reduce costly emergency visits, and catch and treat at an earlier stage our growing
epidemic of chronic disease in Iowa, which becomes a bigger problem as we age. It will help Iowans who've
lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health benefits get access to quality and preventive care so that
they can be healthier and more productive," added Vola.
"Increased health care coverage is the gateway to reducing the cancer burden in Iowa," said John McCalley,
Midwest Advocacy Leader for American Cancer Society CAN. "The American Cancer Society Cancer Action
Network strongly encourages policy makers to accept the federal money to cover more people and save
taxpayer dollars by fully expanding Medicaid. Our poll last month showed that 57% of Iowa voters support
accepting federal funds already allocated to provide health care coverage by expanding Medicaid, while only
27% thought Iowa should turn it down."
"At their core, health care choices are not just political, technical, or economic, but also moral," said Tom
Chapman, Executive Director of the Iowa Catholic Conference. "Good health is a benefit that needs to be
defended and guaranteed for all people, not just for those who can afford it."
"The Iowa Catholic Conference supports making health care more readily available and affordable to all
Iowans. The expansion of Medicaid is a welcome step in that direction. We look forward to working with
legislators as they make important choices on how to strengthen and improve health care in the state," added
Chapman.
The following Iowa groups call upon our Iowa state leaders to expand Medicaid to Iowa residents with incomes up to
133 percent of the federal poverty level as set forth in the Affordable Care Act, in order to provide and compensate for
an efficient and cost effective health care delivery system for low income Iowans who are in need of, but currently lack
adequate and accessible health care coverage.
Group
AARP
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
AFSCME Iowa Council 61
American Heart Association
AMOS (A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy)
Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa
CAFE Iowa CAN
CHAIN (Community HVI/Hepatitis Advocates of Iowa Network)
Community Health Charities Iowa
Communications Workers of America Iowa State Council
Easter Seals Iowa
Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa
Every Child Counts (Child and Family Policy Center Initiative)
HCI Care Services (formerly Hospice of Central Iowa)
Hospice & Palliative Care Association of Iowa
Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
Iowa Alliance in Home Care
Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Iowa Care Givers Association
Iowa Catholic Conference
Iowa Citizen Action Network (ICAN)
Iowa Community Action Association
Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Iowa Hospital Association
Iowa Human Needs Advocates
Iowa Medical Society
Iowa Mental Health Planning Council
Iowa Nurses Association
Iowa Occupational Therapy Association
Iowa Olmstead Consumer Task Force
Iowa Public Health Association
Iowa Primary Care Association
Iowa Psychological Association
Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council
League of Women Voters of Iowa
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Iowa Chapter
Mercy Health Network
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Greater Des Moines
National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upper Midwest Chapter
Polk County
Progressive Action for the Common Good
Progress Iowa
Results (The Power to End Poverty)
South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa
Contact
Anthony Carroll
John McCalley
Marcia Nichols
Stacy Frelund
Teresa Bomhoff
Geoff Lauer
Eileen Fisher
Tami Haught
Jim Swanstrom
Midge Slater
Sherri Nielsen
Vic Verni
Danielle Oswald-Thole
Katie McIntyre
Rebecca Anthony
Midge Slater
Greg Boattenhamer
Naomi Sea Young Wittstruck
Mike Issacson
John Hale
Tom Chapman
Sue Dinsdale
Lana Ross
Rik Shannon
Charlie Wishman
Greg Boattenhamer
Kelli Soyer
Lucinda Stephenson
Teresa Bomhoff
Pam Deichmann
Peggy Parker
Geoff Lauer
Jeneane Moody
Tori Squires
Greg Febbraro
Dawn Francis
Bonnie Pitz
Wendy Sontag
Sara Eide
Teresa Bomhoff
Kelli Soyer
Dan Johnson
Tom Hockensmith
Karen Metcalf
Matt Sinovic
Jos Linn
Mark Cooper
Mary O'Brien
Phone number
(515-707-2722)
(515-401-8284)
(515-246-2654)
(515-246-4563)
(515-277-0672)
(855-444-6443)
(319-624-5121)
(641-715-4182)
(515-243-7207)
(515-278-5551)
(515-274-1529)
(800-221-2689)
(515-778-8187)
(515-333-4258)
(515-283-9316)
(515-262-9571)
(515-283-9303)
(515-974-8908)
(319-272-2244)
(515-313-7766)
(515-243-6256)
(515-480-3240)
(515-244-0328)
(515-689-2870)
(515-664-5197)
(515-283-9303)
(515-277-1117)
(515-223-1401)
(515-277-0672)
(515-462-3277)
(515-720-7346)
(319-466-7455)
(515-491-7804)
(515-333-5012)
(515-229-2890)
(515-282-0275)
(641-792-6123)
(515-270-6169)
(515-556-6883)
(515-277-0672)
(515-277-1117)
(612-335-7930)
(515-286-3120)
(563-355-0093)
(515-423-0530)
(515-288-3622)
(515-265-1862)
(515-802-2240)
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control
in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or
make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+
Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for
AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+
Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and
empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
About the Iowa Hospital Association
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business,
government and consumer audiences. All 118 community hospitals in Iowa, with more than 70,000 employees and a $6.2 billion
impact on the state's economy, are IHA members.
