Iowa Medicaid timelime is unrealistic

To the editor:

Iowa Medicaid appears to be playing 'Let's Make a Deal.” In a rush to privatize Iowa Medicaid, it seems decisions being made are in question. Our governor and legislators have passed an unrealistic time line in order to implement those changes. The end result can be nothing but confusion and chaos for not only recipients but providers placing the most vulnerable at risk. Some have responded with comments that, 'it's too late,” 'the decision is made,” and 'now those of us affected must deal with it.”

Well, leaders, we would be most happy to deal if we had the information to deal with. Providers as well as those covered by Medicaid at this point in time have nothing to compare. Plans have yet to be made public. Providers have yet to sign contracts. Do you really think that by June 2016 over 560,000 people can make informed decisions as to their coverage? Are 30,000+ providers going to be apprised of their role adequately? Evidently, even in the Statehouse, the rush to implementation has failed to provide adequate screening of the deals made with companies providing insurance. It's a 'deal,” but not the door I would choose to have opened.

Donna Aljets

Marion