We must fix Iowa’s health care

Iowa’s health care problems continue.
Privatized Medicaid has wreaked havoc on Iowa’s health care system, while costing taxpayers more of their hard-earned money; Iowans struggling with mental illnesses can’t get the help they need; and private insurers are refusing to sell policies to individual Iowans.
Now, Congress is considering drastic changes to America’s health care system that could devastate Iowa families, health care providers, our economy and the state budget. Iowans are worried that proposed cuts to Medicaid will threaten health care for 150,000 Iowans. More of us will go without health insurance, which ultimately means an increase in charity care, ineffective treatment and escalating costs for everyone.
Our seniors, who make up an increasingly large share of Iowa’s population, will be hit especially hard. Cuts and other changes will cost Iowans hundreds of millions of dollars.
Health care providers won’t be paid properly, which makes it harder to get good doctors, nurses and other health professionals, especially in Iowa’s small towns and rural communities. Health care layoffs and wage cuts will hurt all sorts of Iowa businesses and weaken our economy.
We need to examine Iowa’s health care crisis and offer solutions — with the goal of ensuring every Iowan can afford and receive the health care they need.
Sen. Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) serves Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties in Senate District 27. She can be reached at (515) 281-3371 or (641) 424-0874. Email her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov.