Elderly Waiver controversy sparks passionate discussion with state health reps

By: 
Nick Pedley

Uncertain and unresolved
     Franklin County officials and state health care administrators packed the board of supervisors’ meeting room Monday morning during an emotionally-charged debate that scrutinized changes to an elderly health care service.
     Discussion focused on recent developments affecting Iowa’s Elderly Waiver program. Last winter, the Department of Human Services (DHS) tweaked eligibility criteria to align more closely with federal guidelines, which led some waiver recipients to get booted from the program. The changes led the Franklin County Board of Health to pass a resolution criticizing the DHS’s decision and demanding a change in policy.
     “I think you have to broadly interpret the federal regulation specifically because there was no legislative oversight when the change was made in Iowa,” said Shawn Dietz, Franklin County Board of Health member. “The effect we’re seeing here is tremendous.”
    Read the full article in the Aug. 25 edition of the Hampton Chronicle.

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