Ernst not committed to finding solutions

At the end of a legislative session in Des Moines, after a lot of speeches and posturing, the two sides typically do get down to business and find compromise to move Iowa forward. At the end of last year's session, Republicans and Democrats came to agreement on the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan which expands access to health insurance for low-income Iowans. On Sept. 8, The Gazette reported that 107,500 Iowans have found health insurance through the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan in one year ('Hospitals in expansion states performing well”).

Every Republican and Democratic legislator from Linn County came together and voted for this compromise that is helping over 100,000 Iowans have affordable health insurance and decreasing the number of uninsured patients showing up at emergency rooms in our hospitals. Unfortunately, Joni Ernst refused to be a part of any solution and voted no to the bipartisan compromise.

Our elected officials should have strong convictions, but they should also know when it is time to come together to find answers to challenges facing Iowans. If you want Washington to work better we should not send Ernst who has shown in Des Moines that she is committed to partisan posturing over finding compromise solutions.

Nate Willems

Mount Vernon