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Speakers express support for health care expansion

News

July 29th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa residents are largely expressing support for a plan to expand low-income health care, although there are still questions about some of the details.  About 75 people attended a public hearing Monday in Des Moines on the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan.

Under the plan the state will accept federal dollars offered to states that expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. That funding will be used to provide health coverage for as many as 150,000 low-income residents by putting some on a new state-run program and to pay the premiums for others to get private insurance on the new health care exchanges.

Attendees questioned how proposed health incentives would be structured in the plan and why transportation for non-emergency appointments is not covered. Another hearing on the health care expansion plan will be held 11:30-a.m. Tuesday, in the Looft Hall Auditorium at Iowa Western Community College (2700 College Road), in Council Bluffs.