Many Iowans are expressing concern about Governor Branstad’s unilateral decision to privatize Iowa’s Medicaid program. If fully implemented, the Governor’s decision would have negative impacts on Iowa’s most vulnerable citizens and Iowa’s healthcare providers.
We are concerned that people in our communities will be denied critical medical services and that local providers will not be adequately reimbursed for the medical care of patients. The long term care of severely disabled adults and children makes up the bulk of Medicaid services in Iowa. Medicaid also covers prenatal care to pregnant women, health insurance for low-income children, and health care for low income seniors and others.
Sections:
-
Federal “Listening Sessions” on Iowa Medicaid Privatization
-
Upcoming Senate Democrat Medicaid listening posts
-
People to contact
-
Department of Human Services Information
-
Related stories
Federal “Listening Sessions” on Iowa Medicaid Privatization
-
Due to the massive response to the Nov. 10 conference call, future federal listening posts are being postponed. Subscribe to the federal CMS Iowa Outreach contact list to be informed about future opportunities to raise concerns about Iowa Medicaid privatization with federal officials. Go here to subscribe: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USCMSMEDICAID/subscriber/new.
Senate Democrat Medicaid listening posts
Senate Democrats are hosting listening posts to hear what you have to say about Medicaid privatization. Here are the upcoming listening posts that have been scheduled:
- Davenport with Senators Brase, Bolkcom and Hart: Wednesday, November 11, 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the conference room of Center for Active Seniors (1035 W Kimberly Road). RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1169411726406734/
- Manchester with Senate President Jochum: Thursday, November 12, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Manchester Public Library – Meeting Room (300 North Franklin Street). RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/963243927070095/
- Council Bluffs with Senate Leader Gronstal: Friday, November 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs – Classroom A & B (800 Mercy Drive). RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/943695325705565/
- Decorah with Senators Ragan and Bolkcom: Monday, November 16, 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., Luther College – Room 102 in Olin Building (700 College Drive). RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1491994297796899/
- Sioux City with Senator Hogg and Representative Hall: Wednesday, December 2, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Western Iowa Tech Community College – Cargill Auditorium / Room D103 (4647 Stone Avenue).
People to contact
- The Health Care Policy Oversight Committee is a joint committee of the Iowa House and Senate that will receive public input and make recommendations for improvements to Iowa’s Medicaid managed care.
Statehouse meetings in Room 116: Tues., November 3 (10 AM-3:30 PM) and Mon., December 7.
More information: http://bit.ly/1M6SeJf
Committee Agenda for the Nov. 3rd meeting.
- Contact Governor Terry Branstad at 515-281-5211 or tell him your concerns directly at one of his scheduled events (https://governor.iowa.gov/schedule).
- Contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by e-mailing all key federal officials making decisions about Iowa’s Medicaid privatization:
- Andrew Slavitt, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Victoria Wachino, Deputy Administrator and Director, Medicaid and Chip Services
- Eliot Fishman, Director, State Demonstrations
- James Golden, Director, Division of Managed Care Plans
- Alissa Deboy, Acting Director, Disabled and Elderly Health Programs Group
- Debbie Dombrowski, Division of Managed Care Plans
- Jennifer Snow, HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs
- Stephene Moore, Director, HHS Region VII
andy.slavitt@cms.hhs.gov
victoria.wachino1@cms.hhs.gov
eliot.fishman@cms.hhs.gov
james.golden@cms.hhs.gov
alissa.deboy@cms.hhs.gov
debbie.dombrowski@cms.hhs.gov
jennifer.snow@hhs.gov
stephene.moore@hhs.gov
Department of Human Services Information
To learn more about privatizing Medicaid in Iowa, go to www.dhs.iowa.gov/ime/about/initiatives/MedicaidModernization.
In addition, the Iowa Department of Human Services is hosting meetings, webinars and conference calls to help local Iowans understand what the transition means for them.
- Informational meetings and webinars for Medicaid recipients and their families can be found at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/MemberEducation_and_EnrollmentEventsFlyer.pdf.
- Informational meetings for community partners, advocates and other stakeholders can be found at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/IAHealthLink_Kick-Off_Meetings_Flyer.pdf. To attend stakeholder meetings, you must register at www.dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/IAHealthLink_Kick-Off_Meetings_Registration_Form.pdf.
Get answers to your questions
- Medicaid recipients with questions or concerns can call Members Services at 1-800-338-8366.
- Questions from providers should be directed to the Provider Services Call Center at 1-800-338-7909.
Related stories
- Senators: “Don’t penalize Iowa health care providers for declining to rush into contracts with managed care companies” http://www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/senators-dont-penalize-iowa-health-care-providers-for-declining-to-rush-into-contracts-with-managed-care-companies/
- www.senate.iowa.gov/democrats/privatization-of-medicaid-information/