Health Care
GOP lawmakers begin new push to restrict abortion rights
Iowa Republican leaders are once again pushing for a constitutional amendment that would limit abortion rights in Iowa after an attempt to pass a similar measure fell short in 2019. The amendment aims to nullify the Iowa Supreme Court’s ruling in June 2018 that struck down a law requiring a 72-hour waiting period for abortions. […]
Fired fraud investigator claims she was ‘blacklisted’ by state
A fired Medicaid-fraud investigator is suing the state of Iowa claiming she was “blacklisted” after complaining about the need for improved methods of preventing fraud. Wendy Dishman, who worked for the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals from July 2010 through May 2015, was the administrator of the department’s Medicaid investigations division. In 2014, Dishman […]
Mental health advocates express concern over Reynolds’ plan
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds wants to use a portion of her proposed 1-cent sales tax increase to help pay for some of the mental health costs now shouldered by the counties. Reynolds would increase the statewide sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent — Iowa also allows local governments to impose a 1 percent […]
Legislators call governor’s agenda ‘bold’ but stop short of pledging passage
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday announced what may be her most ambitious agenda to date, centered around a one-cent sales tax increase that would be offset by cuts in income taxes, property taxes and other state revenue streams. Her proposals focus significantly on workforce development, environmental challenges and mental health, but also delve into abortion […]
Iowa health officials propose a ban on vaping in public
Iowa may soon join 13 other states that prohibit vaping and the use of e-cigarettes in public. Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act, enacted in 2008, prohibits smoking in almost all public places – including offices, restaurants, bars, and outdoor entertainment venues. Under new legislation proposed by the Iowa Department of Public Health, the law would be […]
Iowa Legislature 2020: IWILL or IWON’T?
IWILL or IWON’T? That’s a dilemma for Iowa Republican legislators as they open their new session in an election year that could challenge their majority. Will they raise the state sales tax a penny to pay for expensive water quality and mental-health programs? Or won’t they? Here are a few factors lawmakers may consider as […]
What’s Gov. Kim Reynolds got to worry about?
Gov. Kim Reynolds doesn’t seem to have a lot of worries these days. She’s starting the second legislative session of her four-year term. Her Republican Party controls both chambers of the Legislature. And her campaign just announced record-breaking fundraising for this stage of any Iowa governor’s term. Reynolds sat down with Iowa Capital Dispatch recently […]
Auditor says Iowa can’t measure Medicaid success due to bad data
Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand issued a stinging indictment of Iowa’s privatized Medicaid system Thursday, saying his office has been unable to collect reliable data to measure the quality of services provided to vulnerable Iowans. “If we can’t assess the quality of care because the data are not reliable, that certainly calls into question […]
Lawmakers will reconsider medical marijuana expansion
Iowa leaders have committed to re-examining the state’s medical marijuana program after a measure to expand it was vetoed by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds last year. The issue is passing a measure that is comfortable for the House, Senate and governor’s office amid looming competition from Illinois’ recreational marijuana program that launched Jan. 1. Iowa’s […]
GOP leaders: Legislative hearings into Glenwood allegations should wait
Despite the deaths and allegations of human experimentation reported at Glenwood Resource Center, Iowa Republican legislators said Tuesday there are no plans yet to launch a legislative review into the state-operated center for people with severe physical and mental disabilities. While the allegations at Glenwood are “severe,” said Iowa House Speaker-select Pat Grassley, it’s premature […]
Will Iowa outsource its protection of the elderly?
State law requires Iowa’s regional ombudsmen to “visit” care facilities — even when there’s no specific complaint to investigate — and, while there, to “observe daily routines, meals and activities.”
Iowa needs money for mental health care. Here’s one place to get it.
Over the last two legislative sessions, many have worked to improve the treatment of adults and children who suffer from mental illnesses in Iowa. The recommendations of workgroups yielded bills that legislators overwhelmingly passed, and Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law. These laws call for enhancing the continuum of care for adults with complex mental […]