Ads Feature Hubbells Stepping Up To Help Address Iowa's 'Brutal' Mental Health Crisis
Fred Hubbell: 'They’ve Got People In The Hallways Lying In Beds With No Place To Go. That’s Just Not How We Take Care Of People. That’s Not How We Build Our State.'
Today, Fred Hubbell, Democratic candidate for governor, released his second television ad and the first radio ad of his campaign, addressing his commitment to ensuring Iowans access the health care they deserve. Specifically, the ads depict how 'brutal' Iowa's mental health crisis has become. With the severe cuts to mental health funding by the Branstad-Reynolds Administration that shuttered two mental health institutes and cut psychiatric beds for children at another, coupled with the continued Medicaid privatization disaster that is financially choking our existing mental health facilities with two additional recent closures just this year, more Iowans are suffering each day as the crisis worsens. According to the Treatment Advocacy Center, Iowa ranks "dead last in the number of psychiatric treatment beds available per capita," and "47th in the number of psychiatrists licensed to provide care."
Driven by a sense of responsibility to their community, Fred and Charlotte have acted to expand much needed mental health services. For example, at their local hospital, they've stepped up and personally helped fund a new building and an increase in beds. In reference to the health care funding cuts, Fred states in the ad "that's just not how we take care of people, that's not how we build our state."
As governor, Fred has vowed to put people first again in Iowa by investing in Iowans and ensuring that "everybody has a good education, good health care, and an opportunity to be successful." Traveling across the state, Fred has time and again heard the day-to-day struggles Iowans are facing when it comes to accessing good, quality, affordable health care. From reversing Medicaid privatization, to properly funding Iowa's mental health system, to restoring funding to Planned Parenthood, Fred will deliver the results that Iowans need and deserve.
The 30-second television ad, titled "Brutal," will begin airing Saturday as part of a statewide TV and digital buy.
The 60-second radio ad, titled "Brutal," began airing on Wednesday as part of a statewide radio buy.
Both ads follow one previously released by the campaign highlighting Fred's commitment to Planned Parenthood, citing his former leadership role with the organization as Chair of the Board.
Watch: "Brutal" TV Ad
