Bipartisan roundtable to build on Iowa's bold effort to make health care accessible and affordable for all
By Jack Hatch and Ro Foege

Congressional delegation and other key players invited

DES MOINES – A bipartisan group of Iowa lawmakers announced plans today for a gathering of state and federal leaders on August 20 to discuss ways to build on successful health-care reforms passed during the 2008 session by the Iowa Legislature. The “Health Care Roundtable Discussion” will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 20, at Des Moines University Medical Education Center at 3200 Grand Avenue, in Des Moines.

Representative Ro Foege (D-Mount Vernon) and State Senator Jack Hatch (D-Des Moines), together with Senators Amanda Ragan (D-Mason City) and James Seymour (R-Woodbine) and Representatives Mark Smith (D-Marshalltown) and David Heaton (R-Mount Pleasant) have invited the Iowa delegation to join them in this important dialog about health care reform.

Terry Branstad, former Governor and current Des Moines University President, will moderate the Health Care Roundtable Discussion. Other confirmed participants include U.S. Senator Tom Harkin and Congressman Leonard Boswell and representatives from consumer groups, the health care industry, health care professionals, the insurance industry and regulators.

‘“This bipartisan discussion will help build the strongest possible state-federal partnership to keep health care reform moving forward in Iowa,” said Rep. Ro Foege, House co-chair Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee.

“By improving the partnership between the State of Iowa and our federal leaders, we can build on our successes here in Iowa, including the initiative that is making Iowa the first state in the nation in which all children have health insurance,” said Sen. Jack Hatch, Senate co-chair of the Health and Human Services Appropriations Committee.

The Health Care Roundtable Discussion will kick off with the panelists answering this question:

What federal policies should be changed or eliminated to help Iowa do the best job possible in delivering accessible and affordable health care?