560,000 Iowans, or one out of every five residents, rely on Medicaid
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack today called on Iowa Governor Branstad and the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to ensure the wellbeing of the approximately 560,000 Iowans if CMS approves the plan to transition to a to Medicaid managed care system. Currently, Governor Branstad is in the process of implementing a move to privatized management of Iowa's Medicaid program, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2016. Since the plan was first announced, Loebsack has expressed concern and has fought to ensure the transition does not negatively affect those on Medicaid, which often serves our state's most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities.
"In a previous letter sent May 15, 2015, I expressed concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care." Loebsack wrote to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt. "I [remain] concerned about the very short period of time between the waiver request and the planned implementation date of January 1, 2016. I urge CMS to review the State of Iowa's Medicaid waiver request thoroughly. If this is not realistic, the agency should not approve a waiver request until it is certain that the transition will not disrupt care for medically needy Iowans."
In a separate letter to Governor Branstad, Loebsack wrote: "I have strong concerns about the State of Iowa's proposed transition to Medicaid managed care. I have heard from many patients, advocates, providers and other Iowans who share these concerns about the future of Medicaid patients. We must not allow Iowa's most vulnerable patients to fall through the cracks. I urge you to carefully consider the consequences this move will have on Iowans."
Copies of the letters to CMS and Governor Branstad can be found below.
Loebsack letter to CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt
Loebsack letter to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad
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