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A HEALTHY DISCUSSION: Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds Tuesday, September 30, 2014 Dr. Angela Franklin, President of Des Moines University kicked off the first A HEALTHY DISCUSSION of 2014 on Tuesday, September 30th with Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds by welcoming those in attendance to DMU and discussing the University’s mission. She then to introduced, PBH Co-chair Dr. Andy McGuire who outlined the goal of the Healthy Discussion forum as a bipartisan opportunity for the Iowa Congressional Delegation to address their position on health care and educate PBH partners and DMU Students and faculty on issues that are critical to health care in Iowa. Andy introduced the Governor and Lt. Governor and recognized Branstad for his work in health care and coverage for the Medicaid population. Lt. Governor Reynolds spoke first and indicated the successes of the Branstad/Reynolds administration in the realm of budgeting and business growth. She also highlighted the Healthiest State Initiative and Blue Zone’s Projects as ways public/private partnerships can move the needle on health. She also discussed how important it is for our younger students to be educated in math and science. She expressed the administration’s passionate and commitment to the STEM initiative, which engages students in these areas, so they are prepared to be Iowa’s next leaders in health care. Governor Branstad began his presentation by thanking the Partnership for Better Health and Des Moines University for hosting the Healthy Discussions program. He discussed his time at DMU and how he was proud of the accomplishments there, especially the creation of the wellness center and being the only University in the nation to have been certified as a platinum level wellness leader by WELCOA. His comments focused on the Health and Wellness Plan compromise for Medicaid expansion and the Healthiest State initiative as his major accomplishments in healthcare over the last 4 years as Governor. The Governor and Lt. Governor answered tough questions from PBH advocates, DMU students and faculty. When asked about tobacco prevention he indicated he was firmly anti-tobacco and proud of his efforts at the state and DMU. Any efforts in implementing tobacco control need to be evidence-based practices. He also stated his support of closing the casino loophole even though it faced long odds. On innovation in healthcare they described a robust economy in Iowa that supports business who create new cures and treatments was essential. Branstad discussed the need for a policy community, which supports public private partnerships for innovation to prosper in Iowa. Additionally they had visited many companies engaged in this area and were excited about Iowa’s future her because of their efforts to grow the economy and the STEM initiative. Finally, DMU physical therapy students and faculty asked questions surrounding the need to reduce patient co-pays for physical and occupational therapy. The Governor indicated he needed to learn more about this and directed them to meet with his staff to discuss options for next session, but supported the idea of providing greater access to care that reduces cost. The first A HEALTHY DISCUSSION of 2014 was very well attended, with over 100 student, faculty and PBH partners in attendance. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ The Des Moines Register’s Tony Ley’s covered the discussion. The article can be found below and at the following link. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2014/09/30/terry- branstad-pessimistic-about-banning-smoking-in-casinos/16494845/ Branstad pessimistiC about banning smoking in Casinos Des Moines Register Tony Leys, [email protected] September 30, 2014 Gov. Terry Branstad reiterated Tuesday that smoking should be banned from casinos, but he warned public health advocates not to get their hopes up. "I'm a realist. I can tell you you're up against one of the most powerful and prosperous industries," he said of the casinos. "…They have a huge amount of clout. They have a lot of money. They have a lot of impact." The Iowa Legislature exempted casinos in 2008 when it voted to ban smoking from most workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Since then, casinos have beaten back all attempts to expand the ban. They contend that they would lose significant business if they banned smoking, which would cause the loss of jobs and state tax revenue. Branstad recalled how he tried a few years ago to have legislators change a tax law affecting casinos. "I got clobbered," he said. "The casinos beat me." Branstad, who was not governor when the smoking ban passed, was responding to a question at a health care forum at Des Moines University. The question came from Stacy Frelund, government relations director for the Iowa Heart Association. Frelund recounted how previous proposals to ban smoking in casinos have died in the Iowa House of Representatives, which is controlled by Branstad's fellow Republicans. She asked if he would help push the House to pass such a bill in next year's session. The governor said he would continue to speak out on the subject, and he said the public supports banning smoking in casinos. But he added, "I'm not optimistic." Frelund said afterward that it's unfair for casino employees to face the health risks of working in smoky environments when workers in other businesses have been spared. She said other states, including Illinois, have banned smoking in casinos, and she expressed hope that Iowa would join them someday. Frelund said she appreciated Branstad's support but wished he could persuade legislators to change their votes. "He's not our problem," she said, agreeing with him that the casino industry holds tremendous power in the Statehouse. "It's like fighting the 500-pound gorilla." In an interview after the forum, the governor said some people falsely think he can order legislative leaders around. "Just because they're the same party doesn't mean that I can necessarily get their support on everything," he said. He predicted that the most likely way to pass a casino smoking ban would be to include it in a bargain with the industry. "If there's something they really want, maybe it can get done," he said. But he said he wasn't sure what that bargaining chip would be. Iowa Gaming Association President Wes Ehrecke said later Tuesday that the 18 commercial casinos in his organization provide "state-of-the-art ventilation" to minimize the smoke. He said they also have smoke- free restaurants, shops and meeting spaces, and most offer smoke-free gambling areas. But he said banning all smoking from Iowa state-regulated casinos would make them lose customers to tribal casinos and other states' casinos. "States who have banned smoking in their casinos have seen revenues drop up to 30 percent," he wrote in an email to the Register. "That would mean a decrease of gaming tax revenue to be allocated by the Iowa Legislature of $60 million to $90 million." A spokeswoman for Iowa House leaders declined to comment on the issue. The casino-smoking issue was one of the few negative notes in Branstad's appearance. He spent most of his time at the forum touting his administration's health care successes, including passing a version of an expanded Medicaid program and making progress toward his goal of making Iowa the healthiest state in the nation. His Democratic opponent, Jack Hatch, is scheduled to make a similar appearance at Des Moines University at noon on Oct. 10. Democratic congressional candidate Staci Appel is to make an appearance there at noon Friday. Her Republican opponent, David Young, is slated to speak there at noon Oct. 13. A HEALTHY DISCUSSION: StaCi Appel, Candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District Friday, October 3, 2014 On October 3rd, the second A HEALTHY DISCUSSION of 2014 welcomed Staci Appel, candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District. Dr. Angela Franklin, President of Des Moines University, greeted the audience and discussed the University’s mission. She then introduced PBH Co-Chair Dr. Andy McGuire. McGuire introduced Staci Appel and recognized her leadership in the Iowa Senate. Appel presented herself as a mother and formal financial consultant. She noted her passion for supporting middle class families, seniors, and education. Appel detailed her accomplishments in the Iowa Senate, noting that 26,000 students now attended pre-school in Iowa, compared to just 5,000 prior to the legislation she spearheaded. She called Iowa’s state smoking ban the strongest indoor and outdoor ban in the nation and spoke of her role in helping Iowa become the first state to require equal work for equal pay. After Appel’s introduction, she answered a variety of questions from the audience. About 50 students, professors, and PBH partners attended the program. Appel acknowledged the importance of addressing health issues at a young age. She promoted initiatives that improve nutrition and exercise in schools, as well as preventing poor health choices, like teenage smoking. Among the list, she recognized Tom Harkin’s legislation to provide fresh fruit in schools. Though she was not willing to give her full support, Appel mentioned she was willing to further discuss a federal law that allows medical uses of a cannabis oil extract. Appel would support more funding for research into other innovative treatment for chronic diseases. When asked about public health issues, Appel referenced the Ebola virus outbreak. She said she recognized the need to put more funding in the CDC to contain and treat diseases. After mentioning her work on the 2007 Iowa Smoking Ban, Appel said she would love to work on opportunities to ban smoking nationwide.

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