Privatized Medicaid is not working

There has been a lot of discussion about Iowa's Medicaid Managed Care program by the candidates for Iowa governor. I am the father of a son with a disability. He is an amazing young man and enriches the lives of all he meets. He is one of 36,000 Iowans with disabilities who receive services via Iowa's privatized Managed Care program.

I have been watching and listening to the gubernatorial candidates talk about the many challenges facing our current system. I am no expert in the details of Medicaid program management, but I am an expert in what is best for my son and what it's going to take for him to live a healthy, supported life long after I'm gone.

So here's what I know for certain: Iowa's privatized Managed Care program is not working for many with lifelong disabilities. It's not about spending money, it's about spending the money we have more wisely and for the people that need it most.

After listening to both candidates to be Iowas next governor, I am convinced that Kim Reynolds is not willing to make the changes we desperately need in our Medicaid service system. The simple fact is that if we continue along the same path, people are going to needlessly suffer.

Alternatively, Fred Hubbell is willing to step up and do the work necessary to make sure our Medicaid dollars are used to help those who need it most and within the states budgetary constraints. For this reason I am voting for Fred Hubbell for governor.

Bill Stumpf

Dubuque