A national study released today finds that Iowa is the national leader for children’s health. The Commonwealth Fund, a national group that studies health trends among the states, released its 2011 children’s health scorecard. This year, Iowa and Massachusetts have tied for being the top state for children’s health.
Human Resources | JillJ | February 7, 2011 | 
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House Republicans unveiled their plan for budget savings, the Taxpayers First Act.
To view full bill and staff analysis view links below:
“House Republicans campaigned on giving Iowans a seat at the table. This bill does just that,” said House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer (R-Garner).
The Taxpayers First Act will create a Taxpayer Relief Fund which will capture any budget surplus and direct it back to the taxpayer.
Economic Growth, Education, Human Resources, Natural Resources, Press Releases, Taxes, Transportation | JillJ | January 3, 2011 | Comments (7)
The December 2010 projections from the Medicaid Forecasting Group shows an improving picture for the funding of the second largest program in state government. While there is no guarantee the forecast will continue to improve, it is good news for a program that is at the heart of the state’s financial problems in FY 2012. Read more »
Human Resources | JillJ | December 17, 2010 | Comments (0)
House Republican committee assignments are now assembled for 2011. Click the links below to view lists in PDF.
Agriculture, Commerce, Economic Growth, Education, Environmental Protection, Human Resources, Judiciary, Labor, Local Government, Natural Resources, Public Safety, State Government, Transportation, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | November 29, 2010 | Comments (0)
(DES MOINES) – Speaker-Elect Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) today announced the final committee chairs for the 84th General Assembly.
Education, Environmental Protection, Government Oversight, Human Resources, Judiciary, Local Government, Natural Resources, Press Releases, Public Safety, Veterans Affairs | JillJ | November 18, 2010 | Comments (0)
According to a recent report released by the state’s Medicaid forecasting group, Iowa will have to find ways to fill a $600 million gap to pay the state’s share of Medicaid next year. This is a direct result of the massive use, by Gov. Culver and legislative Democrats, of one-time funds to pay for the program this year.
“We warned people that the decisions being made by legislative Democrats and Gov. Culver were going to come back to haunt us,” said Rep. Dave Heaton (R-Mount Pleasant). “The Medicaid budget now has a Grand Canyon-sized hole.”
Budget, Human Resources, Press Releases | admin | September 30, 2010 | Comments (1)
Medicaid service providers across the state are asking why Gov. Culver chose to raise reimbursement rates for AFSCME union members while everyone else continues to provide services at a lower payment level. Legislative Republicans are pushing for answers from the governor and the state’s Medicaid agency.
“State government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers,” said Rep. Linda Upmeyer, Republican Whip. “In this case, if you happen to be an AFSCME member, you win. This kind of favoritism reeks of an election-year stunt and is not fair to many hard working Iowans across the state.”
Commerce, Human Resources, Press Releases | admin | September 14, 2010 | Comments (0)
Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal reported that insurers are implementing a new round of premium increase this fall. The cause – the federal health care reform legislation passed last March.
“…these costs are now being passed on to consumers.”
In an effort to show voters some tangible benefit from the bill, congressional Democrats required certain insurance reforms to go into effect six months after it went into effect. These reforms, like eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions and coverage for children up to age 26, start going into effect on September 23.
What is surprising to many supporters of the bill is that these changes have costs. And these costs are now being passed on to consumers.
Commerce, Human Resources | admin | September 13, 2010 | Comments (0)
Health insurance premiums in Iowa rose 13 percent, according to the latest survey of employers in the state. The annual study done by David P. Lind and Associates found that premiums for both individual and family coverage rose by 13 percent from their 2009 levels. And since 1999, insurance premiums have risen 132 percent while Iowans’ income had only risen 33 percent.
Commerce, Human Resources | admin | | Comments (0)
With John McCalley’s resignation from leading the Iowa Department of Aging, a contentious month for the agency serving Iowa’s seniors has come to an end. But many of the issues central to the current dispute remain on the front burner. Meeting these challenges will be a challenge to the interim director, former representative Ro Foege.
Human Resources | admin | June 23, 2010 | Comments (0)
