Des Moines, Iowa – AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, a Medicaid managed care health plan that will serve Iowa Medicaid beneficiaries as part of the state's new IA Health Link program beginning March 1, 2016, announced today that it has signed an agreement with UnityPoint Health® that will give AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa's members access to UnityPoint Health's hospitals, home care experts, primary care physicians and specialists throughout Iowa and the Illinois Quad Cities.

UnityPoint Health is one of Iowa's largest providers of hospital, home health, telehealth and other health care services. It includes more than 3,500 doctors and specialists, eight hospitals and clinics in Anamosa, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Dubuque, Fort Dodge, Quad Cities, Muscatine, Sioux City and Waterloo in Iowa, as well as Madison, Wis. and Peoria, Ill.

"We are excited to add UnityPoint Health to our network," said Cheryl Harding, market president for AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa. "For more than 30 years, our family of companies has specialized in helping individuals who are most in need to access quality health care and services. Our partnership with UnityPoint Health will allow our members throughout the state access to the more than 28,000 dedicated health care professionals who make UnityPoint Health one of the most respected health systems in the state."

"Establishing this new relationship with AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa enables us to ensure that the best access to health care services is available to our patients," said Brian Jones, vice president of payor innovation, UnityPoint Health. "In partnership with the State of Iowa, it allows us to continue to provide high-quality service to some of our most vulnerable patients at UnityPoint Health."

The new IA Health Link program will serve the majority of Iowa's Medicaid population, or about 560,000 Iowans, through select managed care plans. For more information about the IA Health Link program, visit http://dhs.iowa.gov/.

Des Moines, Iowa – AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, one of the Medicaid health plans selected to administer the  state's new IA Health Link program beginning March 1, 2016, and University of Iowa Health Care, Iowa's only comprehensive academic medical center announced today that they have signed an agreement that will give AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa members access to a health system recognized as one of the best health care providers in the United States.

University of Iowa Health Care, which is comprised of University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Carver College of Medicine, and University of Iowa Physicians, includes a 730-bed hospital that annually admits more than 32,000 patients for in-patient hospital care. It also represents more than 200 outpatient clinics and care areas receiving just over 914,300 clinic visits. Together, these partners provide patient care, conduct biomedical research, and train the next generation of health professionals.

AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa Market President Cheryl Harding was excited to share the news of another hospital system aligning themselves with the AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa team.  "University of Iowa Health Care will allow us to reach a tremendous number of Medicaid recipients at a hospital system that is committed to providing quality care and excellent service that produce exceptional outcomes," said Cheryl Harding, market president for AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa. "This is a winning situation for our members who need these services the most."

AmeriHealth Caritas has successfully implemented Medicaid managed care plans throughout the country that utilize its integrated model of care which includes physical and behavioral health, pharmacy benefit management and specialty pharmacy. AmeriHealth Caritas' unique model of care, along with more than 30 years of experience caring for populations with complex health conditions, confirms AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa is well-prepared to serve the individuals who will participate in IA Health Link.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa
AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa, part of the AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies, is one of the Medicaid managed care plans that will participate in IA Health Link beginning in March 2016. AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa will help Iowans get proper care and stay well, working with communities in need to achieve positive health outcomes throughout the state. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasia.com.

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Dave Loebsack released the following statement today after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a letter to the state of Iowa indicating they must  delay the proposed move to privatized management of Iowa's Medicaid program for 60 days. The letter indicated that the state of Iowa has significant issues to address before more than 560,000 Iowans who rely on Medicaid services switch to the new program. Originally, Governor Branstad intended for the transition to go in to effect on January 1, 2016.

Loebsack has been leading the fight with leaders from the Iowa Senate to ensure those who rely on Medicaid are not negatively affected by the proposed changes.

"I am pleased that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services have elected to slow down the state's transition to a managed care system, as I urged them to do. I, along with many Iowans, expressed concerns that the transition was too fast to ensure the 560,000 Iowa beneficiaries that depend on Medicaid for quality care are not negatively affected. Going forward, I will continue to monitor the readiness of the state to implement the transition and to ensure care is not interrupted for our states most vulnerable populations."

Volunteers and eligible donors can give a gift that can help save lives

PEORIA, Ill. (Dec. 17, 2015) ? As millions of Americans make their final gift purchases this holiday season, the American Red Cross reminds eligible donors to give the most meaningful gift of all - the gift of life - by donating blood or platelets.

Blood donations often decline during the holidays when busy schedules, inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can make it more difficult for donors to make and keep donation appointments, but the need for blood doesn't get a break for the holiday season. During the final two weeks of the year, the Red Cross needs to collect more than 175,000 blood and platelet donations for those depending on transfusions at hospitals and transfusion centers locally and across the country.

"When you donate blood or platelets, you are not only giving the gift of life to someone, you are also giving their loved ones hope for more holidays and joyous occasions together," said Tracy Fox, spokesperson for the Red Cross Heart of America Blood Services Region. "To the parents of a child going through cancer treatment or family of an accident victim, that is a priceless gift."

Blood donors of all types, particularly AB, O, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are encouraged to make an appointment to donate and help ensure hospitals have the blood they need for patients this winter. As a special thank you for taking the time to donate, those who come out to give Dec. 23 through Jan. 3 will receive a long-sleeve Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Volunteers provide vital support

In addition to the 3 million volunteer blood and platelet donors who roll up a sleeve to give each year, Red Cross Blood Services also depends on about 84,000 volunteers across the country to fulfill its lifesaving mission. Volunteers serve in a number of roles, from hosting blood drives in their communities to transporting blood products for patients in need. Noel Macek is one such volunteer.When many people are anxiously awaiting the delivery of their latest purchase, Macek is awaiting the next opportunity to deliver blood and platelets to local hospitals. He has volunteered as a transportation specialist for six years and drives about 14,000 miles each year.

"(Red Cross) Hospital Services knows that anytime that they have an emergency run, they can catch me answering the phone at home," said Macek, who has also donated more than 16 gallons of blood. "My favorite part is to deliver blood products to a hospital or location and be able to bring a smile to people's faces." Macek looks at the holidays like any other day, except that he wants to relieve other drivers so they can celebrate with their families. He knows patients depend on generous blood donations every day - even on holidays.

More information on local volunteer opportunities is available online at redcrossblood.org.

How to donate blood

Donation appointments can be made by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The Red Cross urges donors who have made a commitment to donate during the holiday period to keep their appointments. Each appointment kept, and each donation given, offers hope to a patient in need. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

Check Will Help Fund One-of-a-Kind Program in the Midwest  

What: The St. Baldrick's Foundation, the largest private funder of pediatric cancer research in the U.S., will present Dr. William Terry, M.D., at University of Iowa Children's Hospital with a check, totaling $50,000. The funds will support Dr. Terry's program that addresses the needs of adolescent and young adult cancer patients, the only program of its kind in the Midwest.

The check presentation will feature Taylor Wiebers, Miss Iowa 2015 and former St. Baldrick's shavee, the Burken family from DeWitt, Iowa, whose son Joseph is a pediatric cancer survivor treated at University of Iowa Children's Hospital, and Jennifer Naeve, volunteer event organizer of the annual St. Baldrick's event in DeWitt, Iowa - an event that has raised more than $156,000 to date. The check presentation is not only a chance to showcase how the funds raised earlier in the year are going to support local children, but also a way for St. Baldrick's supporters to thank the local doctors working tirelessly to find better treatments for kids with cancer.

Why: Since 2005, the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-powered and donor-centered charity, has awarded $178 million to support the development of childhood cancer treatments that are unique as every kid. 

When: Friday, Dec. 18

Event will start at 10 a.m.

Arrival starts at 9:45 a.m.

Where: University of Iowa Children's Hospital Zellweger Conference Room

200 Hawkins Drive,Iowa City, IA