A half dozen parents of children with disabilities are urging lawmakers to reject a plan that would prevent future governors from abandoning the system that has private insurance companies managing the state’s Medicaid program. Democrat Rob Sand, who’s running for governor, says the private companies have illegally denied care to thousands of Iowans and as governor he’d take steps to reverse privatization. Kay Marcell of Urbandale says she and her husband have successfully appealed denials of Medicaid services for her 47-year-old son, Joel, who has developmental disabilities and chronic health issues.
Stacy Ring of Council Bluffs says her 20-year-old son does not speak and depends on Medicaid for a variety of services.
Governor Branstad issued an executive order in 2016 that set up private management of Iowa’s Medicaid program. The senate has voted to make that action state law and a House committee is reviewing the proposal, which would take effect January 1st, a couple of weeks before the next governor is sworn into office.
