With the cool, crisp weather of October comes the increased risk of hitting an animal with your car. Iowa drivers rank fifth in the U.S. for the most animal collisions, according to the state's largest auto insurer. Kelly Pargett, a spokeswoman for State Farm, says the company's study finds 58% … [Read more...]
Sanders emphasizing ‘Medicare for All’ on Iowa bus tour
As new polling data in Iowa suggests Democrats are conflicted about having their 2020 presidential nominee run on a "Medicare for All" platform, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is putting the issue front-and-center as he campaigns in northern Iowa. "We are spending twice as much per person on … [Read more...]
Axne legislation addresses ‘surprise’ medical bill charges
Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne is sponsoring legislation to address some of the unwelcome surprises on medical bills. "The Update Act will require insurance companies to regularly update their directories to prevent patients from unknowingly receiving out-of-network care," Axne says. The bill … [Read more...]
364-day health plans approved for sale in Iowa
State regulators have approved two short-term health insurance plans for sale in Iowa. These are 364-day plans and Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen says they are an option for healthy Iowans who cannot afford the premiums for individual policies being sold in the Affordable Care Act … [Read more...]
Number of uninsured Iowans remains steady
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows the percentage of Iowans who lack health insurance remains among the lowest in the country. The state is ranked seventh best for having a 4.7 percent rate of people without health insurance in 2018 - the same percentage as the previous year. That’s about 148,000 … [Read more...]
Sanders says Democrats ‘win big’ in 2020 with Medicare for All
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is defending his "Medicare for All" plan as some competitors for the Democratic Party's 2020 presidential nomination warn embracing the proposal could doom the party's prospects next year. "Those candidate who run on that program, who have the guts to take on the … [Read more...]
Harris unveils plan to address ‘outrageous’ Rx drug costs
California Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris says the government must intervene to address escalating prescription drug prices. "We literally can solve this, but government has to do its job and leaders have to do their job," Harris said today in Bettendorf. Harris … [Read more...]
Biden says he has ‘reasonable’ plan to expand Affordable Care Act
Former Vice President Joe Biden says he wants to improve, not replace the Affordable Care Act, by adding a "public option" -- letting people under the age of 65 buy Medicare-like coverage. "I think it's the quickest, most reasonable, rational and best way to get to universal coverage," Biden said … [Read more...]
Families of fallen firefighters, police officers will benefit from new program
A new state program began Monday that supporters say will help families of fallen police and firefighters. Department of Public Safety Commissioner Stephan Bayens talked about the Public Safety Survivor Benefits Fund today at the police officers memorial near the Iowa State Capitol. "You know … [Read more...]
Finkenauer sponsors bill to boost Medicare payments to Iowa doctors
Democratic Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer of Dubuque is sponsoring legislation aimed at increasing pay for rural doctors. "Iowa doctors have been shortchanged by a government formula that underestimates the cost of labor and practice expenses," Finkenauer says. Doctors in rural areas are paid … [Read more...]