Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Iowa Senate President Pam Jochum, Senator Liz Mathis and Senator Amanda Ragan released the following statement today after the four met in Washington, D.C. to discuss Governor Branstad's plan to implement a move to privatized management of Iowa's Medicaid program, which is scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2016. Loebsack and Senators Jochum, Mathis and Ragan have been leading the fight to ensure those who rely on Medicaid are not negatively affected by these changes. Approximately 560,000 Iowans rely on Medicaid, which often serves the state's most vulnerable populations, including low-income families, children, seniors and individuals with disabilities.
"We remain concerned that Governor Branstad's plan is moving too quickly and both those who provide Medicaid services and those who rely on Medicaid to receive medical care will face uncertainty. It is time to pump the brakes and slow down the process so Iowans have a chance to fully understand the possible changes. We cannot allow Iowa's most vulnerable patients to fall through the cracks."
Recently, Loebsack wrote to the head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) expressing his concern with the plan and has called on him to protect the wellbeing of Iowans. He has also spoken directly with Sylvia Burwell, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees CMS, to express his concerns with her. Senators Jochum, Mathis and Ragan have also been fighting in Iowa and earlier today met with CMS officials in Washington to express their concerns.
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