Gov. Branstad to Uninsured Iowans: You’re Cut Off

[rurallib]

www.ProgressIowa.org Contact: Matt Sinovic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [phone]
MARCH 4TH, 2013

Gov. Branstad to Uninsured Iowans: You’re Cut Off

Iowans deserve apology from Branstad for comparing denying access to health care to closing down a cash bar. VIDEO:

DES MOINES -- During a press conference this morning where he announced his latest effort to avoid Medicaid expansion and deny Iowans adequate health coverage, Governor Terry Branstad compared state employees and Iowans without health insurance to people needing to be cut off at an open bar during a wedding:

“It’s like former Tim Pawlenty from Minnesota said, it’s like going to a wedding where you have an open bar versus a cash bar,” Branstad said. “There’s going to be a whole lot more liquor consumed with an open bar.”


Watch the full video here:

In response, Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement:

“Governor Branstad owes Iowans an apology. Thousands of families and veterans across the state already live without the security of receiving quality health care because of Branstad’s stubborn political refusal to expand Medicaid. The last thing they need to hear is the Governor comparing their health care to a cash bar.”


“It is long past time for expanded Medicaid in Iowa. Compared to the plan Branstad announced today, Medicaid would cover more Iowans and cost our state less. It should be an easy decision.”


“Governor Branstad should apologize immediately for his inappropriate remarks, and take the necessary steps to expand Medicaid, for the benefit of all Iowans.”


The plan proposed by Branstad today would cover fewer Iowans and cost the state more, compared to opting for Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Several states, including eight led by Republican Governors, have opted for expanded Medicaid.

###


Background:

Radio Iowa: Branstad touts “Healthy Iowa Plan”
http://www.radioiowa.com/2013/03/04/branstad-touts-healthy-iowa-plan-audio/

Full video of Branstad press conference
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/29728746

[EC]

1. Sounds like Walker.

Anyway this guy shows why so many Iowans voted for Obama...they were hoping for care.

[Tempest]

2. Unfortunately, Branstad is there to stay

In a rematch of his 2010 contest with Chet Culver, Branstad would start out ahead 50/40. Culver continues to be relatively unpopular in the state with 34% of voters holding a positive opinion of him to 46% with a negative one. Branstad's up 53/28 with independents and his overall 10 point lead is similar to the margin he won by last time. Branstad also has double digit leads over another pair of Democrats who have expressed interest in running: it's 48/33 over State Senator Jack Hatch and 47/31 over State Party chair Tyler Olson.

PPP Polling, 2/6/13

[rurallib]

3. you may be right, but I will work my ass off

to see if we can't finally put him out to pasture.
He is a real tea partier this time around.

[Frustratedlady]

4. No surprise there!

Surely, someone can step in and beat him.

[IADEMO2004]

5. Any connection to the $25 million Wellmark Blue Zones

https://governor.iowa.gov/2011/09/wellmark-healthways-and-governor-branstad-launch-blue-zones-project%e2%84%a2-to-improve-well-being-of-iowans/


I would love a healthier population but I have had a feeling that when Blue Zones started after his election healthy Iowans were window dressing and Wellmark/Branstad health the plan.

I hope I am wrong but when even an a** hole like Fl. Gov Scott expands Medicaid what the f is our Gov thinking.

[roody]

6. Double dipper Branstad

[IADEMO2004]

7. Iowa has $millions to give away

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130313/NEWS/703139922/1707

Branstad said his administration was justified in promising Orascom $100 million in state tax credits, on top of county tax breaks. He defended his decision to finance the project with $1.2 billion in bonds issued under a federal program meant to help Midwestern businesses recover from floods in 2008 — a move that might save Orascom $300 million but would add to the federal deficit. Branstad said Iowa's share of the bonds expired Dec. 3 and would have been lost if they weren't used.

But not to these people. The Poors & 47%ers

http://www.radioiowa.com/2013/03/13/hospital-association-study-says-medicaid-expansion-adds-2400-jobs-in-iowa/

A new study financed by the American Hospital Association concludes Iowa’s economy will get a more than $2.2 billion boost over the next seven years if the governor changes his mind about letting 115,000 more Iowans enroll in Medicaid.

“What this study looks at is, bottom line, what would the net jobs growth be if Iowa accepted the federal support for Medicaid expansion?” says Kirk Norris, president & CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association. “And the net growth in jobs between now and 2020 would be about 2400 jobs.”

Governor Terry Branstad has resisted the call to expand Medicaid coverage to more Iowans. Branstad argues the state shouldn’t trust the federal government to pay the full cost of providing health care coverage to those Iowans. Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm, a Democrat from Cresco, took to the Senate floor Tuesday morning to criticize Branstad.