Letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary, Department of Health & Human Services - Approve Iowa Medicaid Expansion Program

Letter

After meeting with Iowa Governor Terry Branstad today, Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius calling on her to approve Iowa's Health and Wellness Plan waiver (IHWP). Iowa's program is different from traditional Medicaid, requiring special approval from HHS.

Braley said, "Governor Branstad and the Iowa legislature crossed the party divide to improve health care access, coverage and quality. Working together is the Iowa way.

"The administration needs to approve Iowa's waiver request so as many as 150,000 Iowans can receive health insurance. This is a common sense approach that will improve the health of Iowans and help to reduce healthcare costs. I'm committed to working with Governor Branstad to do everything we need to in order to get this wavier approved. It's the final step needed to give thousands of Iowans the peace of mind they need that they will have access to health insurance beginning next month."

Earlier this year, Branstad, the Iowa legislature, and Iowa stakeholders worked together to establish the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan, Iowa's approach to expand Medicaid coverage for up to 150,000 Iowans.

Iowans making up to $11,500 a year would qualify for a new type of insurance similar to Iowa's current Medicaid program. Those making between $11,500 and $16,000 would purchase private insurance policies on the state's insurance marketplace and the government would pay the cost of their premiums.

Many of those eligible for the IHWP are currently on the IowaCare health insurance program, which expires at the end of the year.

Braley and Branstad met today in Washington, DC, where in addition to discussing the need for the wavier approval, they talked about Braley's Hire a Hero Act, legislation to make permanent the Work Opportunity Tax Credit for Returning Heroes and Wounded Warriors, as well as the Renewable Fuel Standard and its impact on the Iowa economy.

Full text of the letter follows; a copy can be downloaded at the following link: http://1.usa.gov/193Ummm

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December 5, 2013

Honorable Kathleen Sebelius

Secretary

Department of Health & Human Services

200 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20201

Dear Secretary Sebelius,

I'm writing to express my concern over the delay in receiving formal approval for the State of Iowa's Health and Wellness Plan waivers.

The Iowa Health and Wellness Plan is the result of a deliberative, bipartisan process by the Iowa Legislature and Governor Terry Branstad. The Governor, the Legislature and Iowa stakeholders worked together to accomplish shared goals in a way that reflects the core principles of improving health care for Iowans while addressing costs.

Under the Plan, as many as 150,000 Iowans could receive health coverage, and more than 60,000 are already signed up and anxious for their coverage to begin on January 1, 2014. The Plan represents an opportunity for many Iowans to increase coverage, improve their health, and ultimately bring down health care costs.

I'm proud of the work that we've done in Iowa, across party lines, to improve health care access, coverage and quality. One of the final steps is for the Department of Health & Human Services to approve the Plan, and give Iowans peace of mind that they will have quality health care beginning January 1, 2014. Time is running short, the need for action is great, and I urge you to promptly approve this request from the State of Iowa.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Sincerely,

Bruce Braley

Source