02 Jul 2012

Loebsack Public Schedule for Tuesday, July 3rd

By Joe Hand

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack is continuing his focus throughout the week on servicemembers, veterans, military families, and veterans services.  Dave will hear firsthand from veterans, meet with military family members and honor the men and women who work so hard to support our troops.

Host Veterans Forum

WHO Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT Dave will continue a series of Veterans forums he is hosting throughout Iowa

WHERE Walden Place

2426 Walden Place

Iowa City

TIME 9:30am

 

Visit YMCA Military Kids Camp

WHO Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT Dave will have lunch with kids of military families who are participating in the camp

WHERE Camp Abe Lincoln

1624 Front St. (HWY 22)

Blue Grass

TIME Lunch begins at Noon

 

Visit Shelter House

WHO Congressman Dave Loebsack

WHAT Dave will meet with staff to discuss the recent grant the Shelter House received to assist homeless veterans find employment

WHERE 429 Southgate Ave

Iowa City

TIME 2:30pm

 

Attend Red, White and Boom to Present House Resolution Honoring the Arsenal's 150th Anniversary

WHO Congressman Dave Loebsack

Congressman Bobby Schilling

WHAT Congressmen Loebsack and Schilling will present a copy of House Resolution 720, honoring the Rock Island Arsenal's 150th Anniversary at locations in Illinois and Iowa

WHERE Schwiebert Park

On the river front between 17th and 20th Streets
Rock Island, IL

6:30 pm

LeClaire Park

400 West Beiderbecke Drive

Davenport

7:00pm

 

###
02 Jul 2012

Obamacare uphled, Rural America benefits

By Elisha Smith

By John Crabtree, johnc@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld the constitutionality of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.

The Center for Rural Affairs has said from the beginning, the Affordable Care Act is a perfectly legal response to the health care and health insurance challenges facing millions of Americans and rural Americans in particular. The Supreme Court's ruling will continue the already existing benefits and protections helping young adults, Medicare beneficiaries, children, and every one of us from unreasonable health insurance rate increases.

The Supreme Court decision also authorizes states to implement the system that allows Americans to purchase affordable, comprehensive health insurance coverage beginning in 2014. For those of us living in rural America, where we are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, and where local economies are even more dependent on self-employment and small business, this ruling is a true victory.

It is now time to move forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act and the federal Department of Health and Human Services as well as the states should take action to fully implement the Act and immediately establish health insurance marketplaces with serious consumer protections and a robust governing board. Congress should also continue investing in access to medical professionals in medically underserved rural areas and maintaining rural hospitals.

Now that the legal wrangling is complete, it's time to bind up the nation's political wounds and get about the business of resolving the health care challenges facing the nation and its people.

02 Jul 2012

whatsup juggling at the Eastern Avenue Branch Library

By Steve Hart

Come in out of the heat and enjoy the award-winning juggling act of "one of the hottest young performing jugglers in the country, Doug Sayers."  Stop by the Eastern Avenue Branch Library (6000 Eastern Avenue) on Thursday, July 5 at 4:00 p.m. to be amazed!

For more information about this event call 563-326-7832, or for more information about whatsup juggling visit www.whatsupjuggling.com.

Registration is not required for this FREE event!
02 Jul 2012

Governor's office releases list of all appointments made to boards and commissions since March 1

By Rick Martin

(DES MOINES) - The governor's office today released a list of all appointments that have been made to boards and commissions since March 1 of this year. The appointments are as follows:

 

Council on Agricultural Education

Michael Earll, Sibley

Crystal Jauer, Hinton

Larry Marek, Riverside

 

Architectural Examining Board

Emily Forquer, Afton

 

Iowa Arts Council

Linda Grandquist, West Des Moines

Kent Hartwig, Des Moines

Chawne Paige, Waterloo

Frances Parrott, Council Bluffs

Lisa Walsh, Burlington

 

State Banking Council

Surasee Rodari, Des Moines

Gina Sitzmann, Sioux City

 

Advisory Council on Brain Injuries

Thomas Brown, Pleasant Hill

Dennis Byrnes, Atalissa

Roxanne Cogil, Jamaica

Michael Hall, Coralville

Kendalyn Huff, Greenfield

Karen Jones, Norwalk

Jenifer Krischel, Havelock

Joseph Linn, Fairfax

 

State Building Code Advisory Council

Amy Infelt, Coralville

Kristin Mohr, Ankeny

Mark Reetz, West Des Moines

Barbara Welander, Mt. Pleasant

 

Iowa Centennial Memorial Foundation

Janet Metcalf, Urbandale

 

Child Advocacy Board

Elaine Sanders, Sioux City

 

City Finance Committee

Kent Anderson, Orange City

Randall Cook, Creston

Chris Ward, West Liberty

Michelle Weidner, Waterloo

 

College Student Aid Commission

Roger Claypool, Le Mars

 

Criminal Justice Information Advisory Committee

John Baldwin, Clive

David Heuton, Altoona

 

Dependent Adult Protective Advisory Council

Michael Owens, Waterloo

 

Iowa Developmental Disabilities Council

Frank Forcucci, Urbandale

Emilea Hillman, Independence

Paul Kiburz, Marion

Barbara McClannahan, Des Moines

Gary Sample, Pleasantville

William Stumpf, Dubuque

Lisa Yunek, Mason City

Aaron Anderson, Mason City

Tonya Fustos, Council Bluffs

Roger Girard, Marion

Koki, Nakagawa, Ames

Nathaniel Pierson, Marion

Alissa Underfer, West Des Moines

 

Iowa Council for Early ACCESS

Jodi Angus, Mount Ayr

Mary Butler, West Des Moines

Maria Cashman, Marion

Chad Dahm, Pella

Gary Guetzko, Dubuque

Julie Hahn, Des Moines

Shari Huecksteadt, Bettendorf

Martin Ikeda, Urbandale

Representative Kevin Koester, Ankeny

Aryn Kruse, Ames

Heather Moorman, Corydon

 

State Board of Education

McKenzie Baker, Forest City

 

State Board of Educational Examiners

Mary Overholtzer, Tingley

 

Interstate Commission on Education Opportunity for Military Children

Martha Kester, Des Moines

Heather Stephenson, Ankeny

 

Electrical Examining Board

Wayne Engle, Marion

John Marino, Clear Lake

Patricia Weese, Bedford

 

Iowa Emergency Response Commission

Robin Pruisner, McCallsburg

 

Fire Services and Emergency Response Council

Mike Bryant, Ames

Gerald Hoffman, Grundy Center

Reylon Meeks, Runnells

Rex Mundt, Ankeny

 

State Board of Health

Ted George, Rockwell City

Jay Hansen, Mason City

Cheryl Straub-Morarend, Coralville

Diane Thomas, Manchester

 

State Historical Records Advisory Board

Shelley Bishop, Council Bluffs

Michael Gibson, Dubuque

Larry Murphy, Ankeny

 

State Historical Society of Iowa Board of Trustees

John Brown, Johnston

Alyse Hunter, Chariton

Jill Wanderscheid, Sioux City

 

Iowa Council on Homelessness

Allan Axeen, Iowa City

Zebulon Beikle-McCallum, Urbandale

David Boss, New Hampton

Ann Davidson, Fort Dodge

Carrie Dunnwald, Waterloo

Rebecca Falck, Oskaloosa

Mariliegh Fisher, Cedar Falls

David Hagen, Cedar Rapids

Kristine Harris, Cedar Rapids

Clifton Heckman, Grimes

Nancy Schulze, Council Bluffs

Timothy Wilson, Mt. Vernon

 

Hospital Licensing Board

Monte Neitzel, Creston

 

Human Rights Board

Mark Alba, Council Bluffs

Redmond Jones, Davenport

Karen Mackey, Sioux City

Sheryl Soich, Des Moines

Robert Tyson, Waterloo

Jennifer Upah, Cedar Rapids

 

Statewide Independent Living Council

Kristen Aller, Cedar Rapids

Joel Lightcap, Dubuque

Michael Cook, Des Moines

Gary "Joe" Sample, Pleasantville

 

Iowa Innovation Council

Gordon Neumann, Des Moines

 

Iowa Statewide Interoperable Communications System Board

Jason Leonard, Waverly

Sandra Morris, Des Moines

Rick Roe, Clive

 

Juvenile Justice Advisory Council

Jacey Bair-Waddell, Cedar Rapids

Morgan Dodson, Le Mars

Margaret Johnson, Sidney

Jeremy Kaiser, Eldridge

Bill Ockerman, Polk City

John Quinn, Urbandale

Shauna Soderstrum, West Des Moines

Zachary Thomas, Nevada

Jeralyn Westercamp, Cedar Rapids

Karen Jones, Glenwood

Tony Reed, Marshalltown

Carl Smith, Ankeny

 

Latino Affairs Commission

Ramon Rodriguez, Pleasant Hill

 

Medical Assistance Advisory Council

Julie Frischmeyer, Carroll

John Grush, Boone

Cecilia Tomlonovic, Des Moines

Mark Wiskus, Pella

 

Board of Medicine

Frank Bognanno, Des Moines

Ann Gales, Bode

Michael Thompson, Pella

 

Mid-America Port Commission

Daniel Wiedemeier, Burlington

 

Organic Advisory Council

Thomas German, Holstein

 

Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Examining Board

Susan Pleva, Woodward

 

Preserves Advisory Board

Kirk Larsen, Decorah

Leesa McNeil, Sioux City

 

Iowa Public Broadcasting Board

Mary Kramer, Clive

 

Real Estate Commission

John Goede, Spencer

 

STEM Advisory Council

Cameron Evans, Euless

Steven Leath, Ames

Bradley Woody, Monroe

 

Student Loan Liquidity Corporation

Daniel Clute, Urbandale

Scott Schneidermann, Rock Rapids

Adam Voigts, Indianola

 

Terrace Hill Commission

Deborah Hubbell, Des Moines

Kay Runge, Davenport

Eric Wieland, West Des Moines

 

Tobacco Use Prevention and Control Commission

Shirley Daniels, Des Moines

Chad Jensen, Carroll

 

Commission on Uniform State Laws

Rosemary Sackett, Okoboji

Teresa Wagner, Iowa City

David Walker, Windsor Heights

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Council

Curtis Chong, Des Moines

Sherri Clark, Red Oak

Jill Crosser, Ames

Nancy Cruz-Tretina, Ames

John Mikelson, Columbus Junction

Christopher Townsend, Davenport

 

Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service

Jordan DeGree, Dubuque

Ashley Farmer-Hanson, Alta

Patti Fields, Iowa City

Khayree Fitten, Mt. Pleasant

Gary Fry, Mitchellville

Michelle Gowdy, Des Moines

Daniel Weiser, Urbandale

 

Watershed Improvement Review Board

Larry Alliger, Gowrie

David Coppess, Urbandale

Larry Gullett, Center Junction

Susan Heathcote, Des Moines

Jane Weber, Bettendorf

 

 

 

# # #

02 Jul 2012

Health Care Coalition Supporters Tell Governor Quinn: "The Waiting is Over - The Supreme Court has spoken."

By Jim Duffett
Urge Governor to Sign Executive Order Implementing Illinois' Insurance Marketplace (Exchange)
Champaign, IL - The Campaign for Better Health Care today sent a letter signed by 109 diverse organizations throughout the state, representing over 2.5 million Illinoisans, to Governor Quinn calling on him to sign an Executive Order to implement Illinois' health insurance marketplace (exchange) immediately.  Illinois small businesses and Illinois families are tired of you waiting.  Illinois needs a state insurance exchange not a federal exchange.
"Now that the Supreme Court has upheld Obamacare, it is time for Governor Quinn to take action, and for the rest of political establishment get on board and work to make the Illinois Insurance Exchange the best one in the nation. We are tired of continuous political posturing in Springfield," commented Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care.
Duffett continues, "the people of illinois have waited for two years for the General Assembly to take action in establishing an Illinois Insurance Exchange - they failed.  Now it is up to you to show the people of Illinois that your walk across Northern IL was not done in vain.  You must stand with small businesses and the consumers and not the insurance industry.  Any further delay will play in the hands of the insurance industry".
A major provision of Obamacare is that states must develop a competitive health care marketplace, or insurance exchange.  In Illinois, this marketplace will eventually enroll over 1 million Illinoisans.  Those that already have insurance they like and want to keep may never need to use the marketplace - but for those that do need to purchase insurance, the marketplace website will be fast and easy to use, and will let consumers make honest comparisons among plans to choose the ones that best fit their needs and budgets.  This marketplace will be a lifesaver for small businesses, sole proprietors, and the uninsured.
"Unfortunately, the Illinois General Assembly has chosen not to take legislative action this past legislative session, letting down  hundreds of thousands of uninsured Illinoisans, small businesses, and individuals, and jeopardizing their peace of mind," commented Jim Duffett, Executive Director of the Campaign for Better Health Care, the organization sponsoring the letter initiative.  Duffett continued, "This marketplace will provide access to health care - in turn providing security for families and strengthening the middle class.  Governor Quinn needs to show leadership and take action now."
Unless action is taken, Illinois will be unable to access over $200 million in federal funds available for the development and implementation of the new Illinois marketplace.
The letter states, "We believe Governor's Quinn's Executive Order must have built-in, well-defined principles and standards protecting Illinois consumers and small businesses.  This marketplace must serve the interest of the uninsured, small businesses, and consumers and not the financial interest of the insurance industry.  So much is on the line for making sure that the new Marketplace Governing Board is independent and free of conflict of interest.  Specifically:
  1. No insurance industry representatives on the governing board of the new marketplace, so as to avoid undue influence on the development or following of the rules for operating it;
  2. The board must have the right to negotiate with insurers and develop real cost containment measures;
  3. The insurance industry stands to gain over a million new customers from the development of the marketplace. Since they will profit from it, the financing of the marketplace should come from their massive reserves of over $30 BILLION dollars - not from taxing the small businesses and consumers.
"Health care reform has already proven to be morally, financially, and spiritually successful for millions of Illinoisans already.  The Illinois Marketplace will begin to provide health care access to a million other Illinoisans, a moral imperative.  The delay in moving forward is unacceptable.  We call upon Governor Quinn to show his moral committment to the people of Illinois by signing an Executive Order to establish Illinois' marketplace," said Rev. Dr. Moss III, Senior Pastor, Trinity United Church of Christ.

"Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.  Like all Illinoisans, we are working hard to keep our heads above water in this sluggish economy.  The cost of health care or lack there of is a major cost factor for us. We are anxiously awaiting the establishment of the marketplace, as it will have a strong positive impact on businesses and consumers. But we cannot wait until next session for the Illinois General Assembly to take action.  That is why we are urging Governor Quinn to sign an Executive Order now establishing Illinois' marketplace," stated Dan Callahan, owner of a small business, Gregg Florist in Peoria.
Once an Executive Order is in place, Illinois can begin moving forward and then the Illinois General Assembly will need to codify components of the Executive Order during the Fall Veto Session, after the November election.
Due to legislative roadblocks, the governors of both Rhode Island and New York have already issued Executive Orders to create the competitive health care marketplace in their states.  "We believe Illinois needs to follow these examples in putting our state on the right track towards ensuring access to quality, affordable health care for all Illinoisans," concluded Duffett.
# # #
About the Campaign for Better Health Care
We believe that accessible, affordable, quality health care is a basic human right for ALL people.  The Campaign for Better Health Care is the state's largest coalition representing over 300 diverse organizations, organizing to help create and advocate for an accessible, quality health care system for all.  For more information, visit www.cbhconline.org.
02 Jul 2012

Protect Iowa's rape and incest survivors

By Becky Bond
CREDO Action | more than a network, a movement.

Tell Iowa Department of Human Services: Follow federal law ? don't revictimize rape and incest survivors.

Dear Richard,

Iowa House Republicans are so committed to their anti-choice agenda that they're willing to revictimize rape survivors and endanger the health of low-income families.1 It's up to you, and the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), to stop them.

Make sure Iowa protects the rights of rape and incest survivors, and protects Medicaid for low-income families. Tell the Iowa Department of Human Services to follow federal law.

No woman should be revictimized by being forced to carry her rapist's child to term, simply because she can't afford other options. For 36 years, both anti-choice and pro-choice advocates have held a truce on this issue, but now 41 extremists in the Iowa House are declaring war on Iowa women and Iowa families, for their own electoral gain.2

They've sent a petition to the DHS demanding that it break federal law and deny low-income rape and incest survivors the right to use Medicaid funds if they choose to terminate their pregnancies.

And as if that weren't bad enough, this blatant disregard for the law could jeopardize the state's entire $1.9 billion annual Medicaid grant, and put roughly 400,000 Iowans at risk of losing their health care coverage.3

Click here to tell the Director of the Iowa Department of Human Services to follow federal law and put the health of Iowa women and families before the whims of extremists.

The 41 politicians demanding this outrageous and irresponsible change in policy don't represent the will of the people. But we have to make that clear to the rulemakers in the Iowa DHS before they make a mistake that would have dire consequences for rape and incest survivors and everyday Iowans.

Sign our petition now, and we'll make sure that the Director of the Department of Human Services knows that Iowans are watching, and we want him to follow federal law.

Thanks for standing up for Iowa women and families,

02 Jul 2012

Branstad signs Executive Order 78 establishing state workers may voluntarily pay 20 percent of health care insurance premiums

By Tim Albrecht

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today signed Executive Order 78, which allows state workers to voluntarily pay 20 percent of their health care insurance premium.

According to the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), 88 percent of state workers do not contribute anything toward their health insurance premium, and in total, Iowa taxpayers fund 97 cents of every one dollar spent on health care premiums.

The Executive Order is found here: https://governor.iowa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/EO-78.pdf

# # #
02 Jul 2012

Most Americans Support What Obamacare Does, Even Those Who Oppose The Law Itself

By Jessamyn Coughenour

A  Reuters/Ipsos poll found that when you remove the controversial individual mandate from the equation , strong majorities favor most of what's  actually in the new law:

·  61 percent of respondents favored allowing young adults to stay on their parents' insurance plans until age 26.

·  72 percent of respondents wish to maintain the requirement that companies with more than 50 workers provide health insurance for their employees.

·  82 percent of respondents favored banning insurance companies from denying coverage to people with pre-existing conditions.

In recent weeks, some Republicans have come out in support of the most popular and successful Obamacare provisions, attempting to whitewash their longstanding blanket opposition. Insurance companies have also pledged to maintain key Obamacare measures regardless of the Supreme Court's ruling.

02 Jul 2012

EPA Education Grant of $150,000 Awarded to Earth Force

By Denise Morrison

Earth Force, a non-profit organization, will use the grant to make 19 small grant awards up to $5,000 each to organizations that apply with a joint application and agree to work together as a team.  Each team applicant will identify partner organizations within their community to meet the specific goals identified in their application.  These awards will be used for the development and implementation of projects, programs and solutions to meet a variety of educational and environmental priorities.  Four of the 19 awards will be made to organizations working directly on the development of environmental literacy plans.

 

"The variety of organizations and diversity of projects to receive these environmental education sub awards will exhibit the commitment of communities to creating and sustaining a healthy environment," said Karl Brooks, Region 7 administrator.  "The rewards to be reaped from these sub awards will be visible in a stronger earth, cleaner air, reduced pollution, environmentally astute citizens, and healthier people."

 

These projects will bring together diverse organizations working on a number of environmental issues that will meet the needs of their community.  Sub award applicants will have the flexibility to support the strategic initiatives identified through one or more EPA educational priorities such as community projects, human health and the environment.

 

The Environmental Education Grant Program is a competitive grant program that supports EPA's efforts to enhance the public's awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. This grant program supports environmental education projects to increase the skills that help people make informed decisions that affect environmental quality and to take responsible actions toward the environment.

# # #

 

Learn more about EPA's environmental education grant program:

www.epa.gov/enviroed/grants.html

 

Learn more about Earth Force:

http://www.earthforce.org/index.php

 

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/eparegion7

02 Jul 2012

Complexity, realism and technology enhances C-IED training (Rock Island, IL)

By Carlos Cruz

Army Sgt. John McSorley, counter IED trainer mentor with 1st Battalion, 307th Infantry Regiment prepares a simulated pressure plate IED for use on the Dismounted IED Visual Indicator Lane.

By Ian Lumley, Matthew Brady and William Fisher
174th Infantry Brigade Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Integration Cell

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- A major part of training service members for combat revolves around countering the insurgent's use of improvised explosive devices. IEDs remain the weapon of choice for terrorists, insurgents and criminal networks worldwide.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., serves as a mobilization training center for First Army Division East with the mission of preparing joint forces for military operations in Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and other active conflict areas around the world. A great deal of time and effort is devoted to training service members how to operate effectively in an IED environment.

"Before they go to an active area of operations, they need to know what to look for," said Army Sgt. John McSorley, 174th Infantry Brigade Counter-IED trainer mentor. "The DIVIL is a great way to expose troops to multiple scenarios and increase IED awareness overall."

The latest joint base training enabler, the DIVIL, or Dismounted IED Visual Indicator Lane, encompasses 15 independent IED training stations. Each station provides information concerning a specific type of IED and provides multiple examples of the IED as it may appear in an active IED environment. The intent is to expose service members to as many devices as possible to increase potential survivability, according to McSorley.

He went on to explained that training lanes have progressed from being a simple walk in the woods where an opposing force sets off training devices and simulates gunfire. During the last 10 years training enablers have increased in complexity and changed how service members train for deployment. Training enhancements such as the Virtual Battle Space Simulator is an example of how training has evolved to assist service members preparing for missions in an IED environment. The increased realism and reduced cost from less wear and tear on traditional field equipment has proved an effective enhancement at the joint base.

"Building the lane is an ongoing project," said McSorley. "Our goal is to continuously update the exhibits and tailor the site towards multiple areas of operations and keep current with the latest tactics being used by the enemy."

The DIVIL is a joint project between the 174th and installation entities. Soldiers assigned to the 174th used their skills and experience to build realistic representations of IEDs and 174th maintains project oversight. The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security provided and maintains the terrain, while the Training Management Division assists with work orders.
In keeping with the Army Training Model 2015, which stresses the importance of hands on training, instructors take students out of the classroom and onto automated with fully-operational simulated IEDs active lanes. Students encounter hidden IEDs along the lane, which reinforces the training they receive.

Instead of a blast, the IEDs are connected to a siren or horn to simulate a blast.

"The DIVIL affords us a more productive learning environment, and constant lane improvements will keep training relevant," said McSorley. "We are working on putting together a marine-time station to demonstrate threats Coast Guard and Navy personnel may encounter."

The 174th IN Bde., trains service members from all branches of the military in preparation for deployments around the world. This newly redesigned lane allows them to train any unit for any area of conflict.

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