HealthiestIowa.com

Healthiest Iowa Initiative to Hold “Clock is Ticking” Rally in Waterloo on Wednesday

Community members, local leaders will call on State Rep. Walt Rogers to support Medicaid expansion because “The Clock is Ticking” for Iowans who need health care security

DES MOINES — Members of the Healthiest Iowa Initiative will rally in support of Medicaid expansion on Wednesday evening in Waterloo, to send State Representative Walt Rogers and all legislators a message: the clock is ticking for Iowans who need Medicaid for their health care security — now is the time to support accepting expansion.

Rogers is a member of the conference committee considering whether Iowa should expand Medicaid, which would cover 60,000 more Iowans and cost the state up to $163 million less per year than the Governor’s plan. The current health care plan for Iowans living in poverty is IowaCare, which is scheduled to expire beginning this fall.

“The clock is ticking for Iowans who live on the edge of poverty — they’re at risk of losing their health care,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “Representative Rogers and the legislators playing political games instead of doing their job need to hear from their constituents. We encourage all Iowans to contact their elected officials and tell them to expand Medicaid before the clock runs out.”

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15th, 6:30 PM

WHERE: Outside the Waterloo Public Library; 415 Commercial St, Waterloo, Iowa

WHAT: “Clock is Ticking” Rally calling on State Rep. Walt Rogers to Expand Medicaid

WHO: State Representative Anesa Kajtazovic; Chris Schwartz, Organizer, Americans for Democratic Action Iowa; Members of the Healthiest Iowa Initiative

Medicaid expansion would cover an additional 150,000 Iowans at limited cost to the taxpayers, in comparison to Governor Branstad’s Healthy Iowa Plan, which will cover 60,000 fewer Iowans and cost the state an estimated $163 million more every year. Uninsured young adults, veterans, the working poor, and the mentally ill would all benefit from full Medicaid expansion. In addition, expansion would create more than 2,000 jobs, according to a report released by the Iowa Hospital Association.

Throughout the legislative session, the Healthiest Iowa Initiative has worked to educate Iowans and call them to action in support of Medicaid expansion. The 28 organizations participating in the Healthiest Iowa Initiative include:

AFSCME Iowa Council 61
Americans for Democratic Action
AMOS
Brain Injury Alliance of Iowa
Coalition for a Better Iowa
Disability Rights Iowa
Hawkeye Labor Council, AFL-CIO
Iowa Alliance for Retired Americans
Iowa Citizen Action Network
Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement
Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Iowa Human Needs Advocates
Iowa Main Street Alliance
Iowa Mental Health Planning Council
Iowa Olmstead Consumer Task Force
Iowa State Education Association
Iowa Statewide Independent Living Council
NAMI Greater Des Moines
National Association of Social Workers, Iowa Chapter
National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upper Midwest Chapter
One Iowa
Passageway
Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa
Progress Iowa
Progressive Action for the Common Good
SEIU Local 199
South Central Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
Working Families Win.

In addition to learning about Medicaid expansion at Medicaid Madness events, Iowans are encouraged to sign the following petition at www.healthiestiowa.com:

Iowa has the opportunity to approve a Medicaid expansion as part of Obamacare. We call on Governor Branstad to take this opportunity to help thousands of Iowans rather than pursue a plan that costs more, covers fewer and has no guarantee of federal funding. There are no real reasons – only political rhetoric – for failing to support Medicaid expansion in Iowa.