THE IOWA HOUSE HAS PASSED A BILL TO TEMPORARILY RAISE THE PREMIUM TAX ON PRIVATE COMPANIES THAT OFFER H-M-OS TO IOWANS AS WELL AS THE THREE COMPANIES THAT MANAGE IOWA’S MEDICAID PROGRAM.
THAT NINE-MONTH-LONG MANEUVER WOULD SEND 124 MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL MATCHING FUNDS TO THE STATE OF IOWA TO COVER A DEFICIT IN MEDICAID.
REPRESENTATIVE SHANNON LUNDGREN A REPUBLICAN FROM PEOSTA, SAYS IT’S RESPONSIBLE BUDGETING AND IT’S BEING DONE IN MANY OTHER STATES.
MEDIC AID1 OC……..SUPPORTING IOWANS.” :10
REPRESENTATIVE AUSTIN BAETH, A DEMOCRAT FROM DES MOINES, SAYS THIS TAX WILL COST IOWANS WHO BUY INSURANCE.
MEDIC AID2 OC……..ON TO CONSUMERS.” ;13
LUNDGREN SAYS WHEN THE STATE REDUCED THE PREMIUM TAX A FEW YEARS AGO, WELLMARK RAISED THE COST OF ITS INSURANCE PREMIUMS AND SHE SAYS IT WILL BE A BUSINESS DECISION IF THE COMPANY PASSES THIS TAX HIKE ON TO ITS CUSTOMERS.
MEDIC AID3 OC………IN SURPLUS.” :14
GOVERNOR REYNOLDS SAYS IOWA FACES A MARCH 31ST FEDERAL DEADLINE FOR MAKING THIS CHANGE AND THE BILL HAS TO CLEAR THE SENATE NEXT BEFORE SHE CAN SIGN IT INTO LAW.
RADIO IOWA
