Monday’s Senate floor debate centered on Iowa’s current health care system for uninsured adults. Iowa’s current program serves 35,000 adults that are without insurance and are below the federal poverty line. This poverty level is approximately, $44,000 for a family of four or $21,600 for a single individual.
The current program allows, Iowans who qualify, a means of health care at Iowa City hospital or Broadlawn hospital in Des Moines. The new bill that passed allows these same Iowans to get care at local regional locations. The location in NW Iowa would be the Greater Sioux Community Health Center in Sioux Center.
It was noted the same amount of money will be funded for this program. It is drawn down on a first come first serve basis. These added Centers in Iowa help to broaden care, rather than having people travel to Des Moines or Iowa City.
The bill that passed also creates an information exchange system. The system will offer information about each Iowa health center which would include; quality of care, cost of procedures, and health center specifications. This idea helps promote more transparency in health care and creates the opportunity for open competition amongst hospitals.
Based on this information, I supported the bill and it passed 45-5.