United Iowa Senate sets sights on significant health care change

DES MOINES – The Iowa Senate voted Tuesday to create an “Interim Commission on Affordable Health Care for Small Businesses and Families” to make Iowa’s health care system more affordable. The ambitious proposal was approved by a near-unanimous vote of 48 to 2.

“When this commission reports back to the legislature next year, we will have a pathway to a new health care system with lower premiums, improved access and a much more comprehensive health care for all Iowans,” said Senator Jack Hatch of Des Moines, the floor manager of Senate File 573.

The impetus behind the legislation is the fact that Iowa health care premiums are growing at rates double or triple the cost of living. Iowa small businesses and families are increasingly unable to afford health insurance. Currently, 9 percent of Iowans, including 40 to 50 thousand children are completely without health insurance.

The commission, which was developed in a bipartisan effort, will be composed of 10 legislators and representatives from the insurance industry, medical providers, small businesses and individual consumers.

“The commission’s job is to build a consensus that will result in significant progress,” said Tom Rielly of Oskaloosa, an independent insurance agent. “It won’t be easy but the problems we face are too great to just keep on doing as we’ve been doing. Bold, innovative thinking is what’s needed to solve these problems and help move our state forward.”

Senator Steve Warnstadt of Sioux City said: “Our plan for health care reform will combine insurance market reform, individual responsibility and government support.”

The Commission will present its recommendations to the legislature next year.

“This commission is the third leg of this session’s three-legged health care stool,” Hatch said. “First, we raised the tobacco tax to discourage smoking. Second, we used all of the money raised by the tobacco tax to expand access to health care. Third, we’ve created this bipartisan commission help us make major progress on the health care issues that are a drag on our economic growth and a constant worry for too many Iowa families.”