While a candidate running for election 5 years ago, Terry Branstad, aka Teflon Terry, rallied his supporters over the fact that government should not be the one's who choose winners and losers. Many here applauded his statement, although contrary to how Branstad has ever governed.
Now Branstad is pursuing his latest efforts to reward those who support him by raping the Iowa MedicAid fund of over $560M and awarding it to "the private sector" to more efficiently manage Iowa's MedicAid program....this is the LARGEST fund of government money in Iowa's budget. It does not require legislative approval, either.
So Teflon, in his infinite wisdom, is going to award management administration of Iowa MedicAid to 3 or 4 "private" management firms, that require atleast 15% of the funds total $4.2 B to administer the program. The State of Iowa , who currently manages the program runs 4-6% for administrative costs of oversight. So, basicaly Teflon is removing 10% of the money that would be used for MedicAid patient treatment and giving it to private managers. This is TAX money that is being taken from the public and given to the private sector. The result of this act is very simple to forsee. Patients who use MedicAid will be denied services previously administered to make up for the lost MedicAid money. So, Teflon is in fact choosing winners (the new private managers of MedicAid) and he is choosing losers...those who rely on MedicAid for needed medical and psychological treatment. The New managed care program will never "deny" treatment for its members. It will just refuse to pay for the treatment recommended by the physicians/providers involved.
This is just an extension of the radical right's attack on anything done by the State. The fact is, the only "money" in MedicAid is in the management of the program. As you know, providers (clinics, hospitals, doctors, therapists) for MedicAid are harder to find because compensation for services is often unprofitable. This is NOT going to change. What will change though is the amount of money that will be available for services rendered. Because more of the pie is going to administrative fees, less will be available for patient care.
And the people of Iowa who elected Teflon, say nothing. I will remind you that perhaps the greatest meassure of a society is how well it cares for those who cannot care for themselves. Iowans and Terry choose not to care for them as well as they have in the past.
The Iowa Senate (Democratic controlled) voted for an oversight committee to oversee the transition from State to private management. The Iowa House (GOP controlled) voted against such a committee. God have mercy on our souls! The confusion in registration starts in July. I hope if any of you who have loved ones on Iowa MedicAid are aware of the fun you will be enjoying the back half of this year.
This is a big deal to me. This is perhaps the most overt money grab any governor of the State of Iowa has ever attempted. And no one really seems to give a shit. However, if Culver would have done this all hell would have broken loose!
Now Branstad is pursuing his latest efforts to reward those who support him by raping the Iowa MedicAid fund of over $560M and awarding it to "the private sector" to more efficiently manage Iowa's MedicAid program....this is the LARGEST fund of government money in Iowa's budget. It does not require legislative approval, either.
So Teflon, in his infinite wisdom, is going to award management administration of Iowa MedicAid to 3 or 4 "private" management firms, that require atleast 15% of the funds total $4.2 B to administer the program. The State of Iowa , who currently manages the program runs 4-6% for administrative costs of oversight. So, basicaly Teflon is removing 10% of the money that would be used for MedicAid patient treatment and giving it to private managers. This is TAX money that is being taken from the public and given to the private sector. The result of this act is very simple to forsee. Patients who use MedicAid will be denied services previously administered to make up for the lost MedicAid money. So, Teflon is in fact choosing winners (the new private managers of MedicAid) and he is choosing losers...those who rely on MedicAid for needed medical and psychological treatment. The New managed care program will never "deny" treatment for its members. It will just refuse to pay for the treatment recommended by the physicians/providers involved.
This is just an extension of the radical right's attack on anything done by the State. The fact is, the only "money" in MedicAid is in the management of the program. As you know, providers (clinics, hospitals, doctors, therapists) for MedicAid are harder to find because compensation for services is often unprofitable. This is NOT going to change. What will change though is the amount of money that will be available for services rendered. Because more of the pie is going to administrative fees, less will be available for patient care.
And the people of Iowa who elected Teflon, say nothing. I will remind you that perhaps the greatest meassure of a society is how well it cares for those who cannot care for themselves. Iowans and Terry choose not to care for them as well as they have in the past.
The Iowa Senate (Democratic controlled) voted for an oversight committee to oversee the transition from State to private management. The Iowa House (GOP controlled) voted against such a committee. God have mercy on our souls! The confusion in registration starts in July. I hope if any of you who have loved ones on Iowa MedicAid are aware of the fun you will be enjoying the back half of this year.
This is a big deal to me. This is perhaps the most overt money grab any governor of the State of Iowa has ever attempted. And no one really seems to give a shit. However, if Culver would have done this all hell would have broken loose!
