Take action to protect Medicaid

To the editor:

I'm grateful for Medicaid, the health care safety net that protects all of us.

Every Iowa family is one disability or accident away from needing the Medicaid safety net. I have a friend from church who is well off and has private insurance, but still depends on Medicaid.

That's because her adult daughter has cerebral palsy quadriplegia. She lives a full, meaningful life with the help of equipment, therapies, and services, but the cost of those services far exceeds the limits of her private insurance. The Medicaid safety net makes the rest possible.

Right now, Gov. Terry Branstad is pushing to hand Iowa's Medicaid dollars over to four out-of-state companies. Independent caseworkers who put patients first could be replaced by caseworkers who work directly for the for-profit companies.

Like many Iowans, I believe the only way these companies will get the large profits they have been promised is by denying health care services and by refusing payments to community providers.

So in addition to being grateful for the Medicaid safety net, let's all take action to protect it. Here's how.

First, add your name to the petition at www.IowansForQualityMedicaid.com.

Second, contact your state and federal elected officials. Iowa's elected officials, from both parties, need to stand up to Gov. Terry Branstad on this hasty, unilateral, and ill-advised proposal.

If we work together, we can make sure Medicaid will be there when needed, for your family and every Iowa family facing serious health and disability challenges.

State Sen. Rob Hogg

Cedar Rapids