Reductions in spending and tightened eligibility requirements on social safety net programs like Medicaid and food assistance being considered by Republicans in Congress will significantly reduce access to health care and food assistance, impacting thousand of low-income individuals and families across Linn County.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said work requirements are needed to focus Medicaid on those truly in need. A nonpartisan analysis by the state’s Legislative Services Agency projects 32,000 eligible Iowans could lose coverage under the new law.
In the video posted on her Instagram, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst speaks directly to the camera while apparently walking through a cemetery. She says, “I made an incorrect assumption that everyone in the auditorium understood that yes, we are all going to perish from this Earth.”
Politics reporters across the state talk through this week in Iowa Politics, including recent town halls and the big, beautiful bill.
U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, in Cedar Rapids for a Republican Party of Iowa fundraiser Thursday, questioned President Donald Trump’s authority to unilaterally impose tariffs on other countries by edict, and applauded a federal court ruling blocking Trump from imposing sweeping tariffs on imports under an emergency-powers law.
Doctors, nurses, food bank directors and other social safety net providers across Iowa warn major cuts to public health insurance and food assistance programs could lead to crowded emergency rooms, more rural hospital closures, drained family budgets, overworked providers and reduce care for veterans, seniors and children.
Iowa, with 3.2 million residents, has a total of about 760 inpatient mental health beds that are staffed to care for patients. The Treatment Advocacy Center says the “absolute minimum” of such beds would translate to about 960 for Iowa’s population, and the optimal number would be about 1,920.
The Republican governor pushed most — but not all — her priorities across the finish line.
Lawmakers use surplus to cover expected $917M shortfall
To resolve 2023 lawsuit, new services will be offered to children in the state with serious emotional and behavioral conditions.
Iowa Medicaid would no longer cover surgical procedures and hormone therapy related to treating Iowans with gender dysphoria under a Republican-back bill on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her expected signature.
Also in the Capitol Notebook: Iowa Senate Republicans approve work requirements for Medicaid recipients
Under a proposal advanced by Iowa Senate Republicans, Iowa Medicaid would no longer cover surgical, hormonal and other procedures related to treating Iowans with gender dysphoria. Critics warn the move could endanger the health and lives of Iowans.
During a public comment meeting Wednesday, Iowans voiced their frustration and concern over a proposal by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to require most able-bodied Medicaid recipients to work at least 100 hours per month.
Also, a bill mandating the creation of a Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa heads to the governor.
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