Ernst’s Notes from the Capitol… by Senator Joni Ernst District 12

Representing Fremont, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Ringgold, and Taylor Counties

This Week- March 25th – 28th

This week’s floor action included two significant bills: Medicaid Expansion and Education Reform.

In the Iowa Senate, Democrats passed a bill expanding the Medicaid program. The passage of SF 296 does little to address patients’ well-being or the long-term implications. Chronic disease and obesity are growing problems, and not enabling recipients to take ownership of their health care coverage does them a disservice and only makes the problem worse.

Participation in the broken Medicaid program has doubled over the past decade. Iowa has nearly 500,000 Medicaid enrollees. If the program is expanded, it is estimated the Medicaid population will grow by an additional 110,000 to 181,000 recipients who have no personal responsibility for their health and no accountability for the care provided.

Iowans deserve affordable healthcare that focuses on outcomes-based solutions. Working to identify solutions to help Iowans lead healthier lives will reduce healthcare costs without saddling Iowans with higher taxes to pay for the unsustainable Medicaid program.

The Governor has proposed a Healthy Iowa Plan. I believe we should allow more time and consideration of his plan before proceeding any further with Medicaid expansion. I am sure there is a viable solution for all Iowans, and it will take honest, open discussions between the House, Senate and Governor’s Office to find the right solution.

Democrats also passed their version of the Education Package. The areas addressed in their package are similar to the Governor’s and House’s plans, but does differ significantly in cost. The Senate plan will cost $40.5 million more each year than the House plan.

Main areas addressed in the bill are teacher leader pathways, raising the starting salary of teachers from $28,000 to $35,000 per year, providing greater access to online courses through the Department of Education, Teach Iowa scholarships, and Fiscal Years 2014 and 2015 allowable growth set at 4%.

At this point I am unsure whether the House will take up the Senate version of Education Reform, or the Senate will take up the House plan. We are rapidly approaching our second funnel, so a decision will need to be made soon by leadership on which version will provide Iowa’s children and school systems with the greatest opportunity.

I continue to appreciate your support and as always, I welcome your questions and concerns regarding any issue. Please contact me using any of the information below.

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Senator Joni Ernst [email protected] 515-281-3371

Forum Schedule April 6: 8:00 a.m., Montgomery County Family YMCA, Red Oak April 20: 9:00 a.m., County Extension Office, Malvern