Our state faces a critical question this spring: What’s the best way to expand affordable health care to more Iowans? Our choice is between expanding Medicaid or continuing IowaCare. Expanding Medicaid is the right choice, and it is probably our only choice. Here’s why.

IowaCare is a state-run insurance program providing limited health care services to about 60,000 Iowans who do not currently qualify for Medicaid. Under IowaCare, patients have a very limited choice of doctors and must often travel great distances for care.

In addition, IowaCare does not cover many important services, including mental health care and prescription drugs. The program is also costly. The annual cost to Iowans is $76 million—and that doesn’t include the millions of dollars in uncompensated care provided to IowaCare patients.

How much will Medicaid expansion cost the State of Iowa? Nothing for the first three years, and no more than 10 percent of the overall cost by 2020.

In fact, expanding Medicaid is projected to save Iowa up to $206 million over the next seven years. County governments will save up to $65 million annually, which is good news for property taxpayers. Most importantly, 150,000 uninsured Iowans will have access to high-quality life-saving health care. That’s a plus for families, communities and businesses.

The choice is simple. IowaCare costs more, provides less and helps fewer Iowans. Expanding Medicaid costs less, offers more and helps 150,000 Iowans get the affordable health care they need.

IMPROVING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT REQUIRES A TIMELY INVESTMENT
One of the top priorities of the Iowa Senate this session is providing the necessary funding for our schools for the upcoming 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. This decision has already been delayed too long and it is a real problem for local school boards.

This problem started last year when the House and Governor Branstad refused to follow state law. For the last 20 years, Iowa has required basic aid to local students to be set 18 months before the start of a school year.

In the Senate, we’re working to get us back on track, and supporting local students and teachers. We’ve approved a 4 percent increase in basic funding—also known as “allowable growth”—for the next two school years. In both cases, we’ll do it without raising property taxes. Schools rely on these dollars to buy up-to-date textbooks, keep the lights on, gas up the buses and pay school employees.

The Senate is following the Iowa school funding law signed in 1995 by then Governor Branstad, which is designed to provide local schools with sustainable, stable funding.

Failure to act is creating a crisis in Iowa schools. In a recent survey of Iowa school superintendents, 87 percent said that failing to determine aid to local schools before March 1 will result in teacher layoffs, crowded classes and harm to student achievement.

The House this week finally addressed school funding by cutting in half the Senate’s 4 percent increase in basic state aid for both the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. The House’s half-hearted action sends the wrong message to local school districts, parents, students and educators. After several lean years, our local schools tell us they need a strong investment to ensure our students get a world-class education.

Another item on our agenda for this session is continuing efforts to increase student achievement, boost teacher quality and develop innovative education reforms. There is clear bipartisan support for this effort, but the immediate need is for the Governor and House to quickly comply with state law to ensure our schools can avoid layoffs and other harmful cuts.

FIRST LAW OF SESSION HELPS FAMILIES, SMALL BUSINESS, FARMERS
Tax cuts should focus first on helping Iowa families, farmers and small businesses. We kept that focus with the first bill to pass the House and Senate and be signed into law by the Governor this session.

Senate File 106 will help grow our economy by updating Iowa’s tax code in light of the recent changes at the federal level.

The new law prevents a cut in the family friendly Iowa Earned Income Tax Credit through 2017. It also makes permanent the child and dependent care tax credits, as well as the student loan interest deduction. A deduction of up to $250 in out-of-pocket expenses by Iowa teachers is extended for an additional two years.

Another provision provides a nearly $20 million boost to the Iowa economy. It allows small businesses and farmers to immediately write off up to $500,000 in new equipment rather than spreading that deduction over several years through depreciation.

DROUGHT COULD HAVE BIG IMPACT ON WATER SUPPLY
The drought of 2012 withered crops, stressed livestock and browned lawns and gardens across the state. But that could be just the beginning if the shortage of precipitation persists.

Months of dry weather are shrinking sources of water all around Iowa. Communities that rely on shallow wells, rivers and reservoirs are searching for alternative sources. Some areas of northwest Iowa already face dangerously low water levels, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

When water shortages strike, utilities will take various voluntary measures to reduce overall water use while continuing to meet critical needs. These steps could include restrictions on lawn watering, car washing and other non-essential water uses. In extreme cases, the state and the local water utility may mandate steps to protect water supplies for home, livestock, farming, utility and industrial uses.

There are many simple ways to conserve water in our homes and businesses. For some great tips from Iowa State University Extension on how to use less water in day-to-day life, go here.

SECURE PRISONS ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY
Legislators recently visited the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women at Mitchellville and the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, where new prison buildings are now under construction.

After a 2005 escape by two prisoners from Fort Madison, Iowa made a comprehensive review of our state’s prison system. Some parts of the current penitentiary in Fort Madison were built in 1839, which raises safety concerns for prison staff and the surrounding community. The women’s prison was originally a girls’ school and not intended for prisoners. In addition, the number of offenders currently housed at these prisons exceeds capacity.

The Legislature ultimately decided that additional facilities where needed at Mitchellville, as well as a new maximum security prison in Fort Madison. These new buildings will ensure our prisons are more safe and secure. Both prisons are scheduled to begin opening in the next year.

Contact Tom
CAPITOL:
Iowa Statehouse
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-3371

HOME:
2609 Clearview Drive
Burlington, IA 52601
319-759-5334

tom.courtney@legis.iowa.gov

http://www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/courtney

UPCOMING PUBLIC FORUMS
Saturday, March 02
9:00 AM

Muscatine County Legislative Forum
At Muscatine Community College

Saturday, March 02
11:15 AM

Wapello Legislative Forum
At the State Bank of Wapello