DES MOINES – AARP applauds Iowa Senate and Iowa House passage of Senate File 446 that will provide health coverage for low income Iowans by expanding Medicaid.
"Passage of Senate File 446 is a victory for Iowa's working poor, including the more than 17,000 Iowans age 50-64 who are between jobs or in jobs without health coverage and now will have access to care in their local communities," said AARP Associate State Director Anthony Carroll. "We applaud the bipartisan leadership and especially thank the work of Senator Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City), and House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, (R-Clear Lake) for their efforts to forge a final compromise. We also thank Governor Branstad for listening to the concerns of AARP Iowa members and the more than 60 Iowa organizations that fought for this legislation on behalf of everyday Iowans."
Expanding Medicaid will help Iowans who've lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health benefits and who don't currently qualify for Medicaid health coverage, get access to quality and preventive care. It will reduce costly emergency visits and reduce the burden on Iowa's providers who provide care to Iowans who currently lack coverage.
The Iowa Department of Human Services will administer the program, which will be called the "Iowa Health and Wellness Plan." The program will begin on Jan. 1, 2014, and will expand care for about 150,000 more low-income Iowans who are currently without health care coverage. Approximately 400,000 low-income Iowans are already covered by the state-federal Medicaid program.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment security and retirement planning. We advocate for consumers in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services. A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP VIVA, a bilingual news source. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. The 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. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org.
