State officials seeking approval for Iowa Health care proposal

DES MOINES - A public hearing on the state's health care proposal drew about 80 people, but few new concerns, Monday afternoon.

State officials are seeking federal government approval for the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, which is a hybrid state and federal plan to offer health insurance to tens of thousands of uninsured and lower-income Iowans.

The hearing, hosted by top Iowa Department of Human Services officials and held at the Polk County DHS office in Des Moines, ran just shy of two hours as attendees asked questions or simply made statements about the program which is meant to replace the IowaCare program and meet the requirements under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

“I think we heard a lot of similar concerns and those have been out there, if you will, and discussed in the advocacy community,” said Iowa DHS Director Chuck Palmer. “I think I was just very pleased with the number of people who came to this and are still very engaged in the discussion.”

The audience was a mix of lobbyists, advocacy groups and interested observers who, for the most part, thanked Palmer and Medicaid Director Jennifer Vermeer for hosting the hearing, but had some pointed questions about some longstanding issues with the plan.

“Consumer assistance is a real concern for us,” said Anthony Carroll, associate state director for AARP Iowa. “What we really want is unbiased consumer assistance which will help people work out what healthcare options will work best for them.”

The state plans to submit its waiver request by Aug. 20. If it is approved, people can start choosing plans through the state-run health care exchange on Oct. 1 and coverage would begin by Jan. 1.

The state proposal, details of which may change as state and federal officials work through requirements, has two main options:

• The Iowa Wellness Plan is for adults ages 19-64 with income up to and including 100 percent of the poverty level;

• The Marketplace Choice Plan is for adults ages 19-64 with income of 101 to 133 percent of the poverty level.

People enrolled through the wellness option will have access to the same providers currently available through Medicaid. They won't have co-pays in most circumstances, but those who make more than 50 percent of the federal poverty level could have a monthly payment for health coverage.

People enrolled through the market option will choose from commercial health plans available on the state's health care exchange.

Sue Whitty of the Iowa Nurses Association asked the department to consider covering transportation to and from hospital appointments. Currently the plan covers only emergency transportation.

Vermeer said coverage of non-emergency transportation was not included in legislation the General Assembly approved in May, but it is a topic under review in the discussions with federal officials.

The department has scheduled the second of two public hearings for 11 a.m. today at Iowa Western College in Council Bluffs. The department previously held public hearings on the topic last month but had to add dates once the formal proposal was drafted.

Vermeer said the department plans an aggressive engagement and information campaign from August through March.