If Iowa replaced the temporary IowaCare program to help pay for low-income health care with expanded Medicaid, Iowa could double the number of Iowans covered (66,000 vs. 150,000), offer better benefits, and save significant state dollars (federally funded at 100 percent for the first three years and 90 percent federal funding for year seven vs. a 60 percent federal/40 percent state match).
Iowa should provide good health care by expanding accessible services, not close opportunities for this care.
Why is this important?
Expanding Medicaid to 150,000 Iowans will improve health and save Iowa’s general fund $131 million over the next seven years. That’s a deal, but Governor Terry Branstad doesn’t want to participate. He wants to continue IowaCare, which has very limited coverage.
