(Radio Iowa) — Iowa Congressman 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 makes it clear insurance companies are responsible for updating the lists that show which doctors, clinics and other health care providers are “in network” — and therefore covered by an insurance policy. “I’m hearing story after story about folks who believe that a provider is ‘in-network’ because it is displayed on the insurance company’s website as well as folks who have called in and asked specifically if a provider is in-network,” Axne says. “Later, they get a bill because that provider isn’t ‘in-network’ and they’re held responsible for it.”

The two political parties have been quarreling about health care policy for years and Axne expects large reform packages to emerge in the coming months. But Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says this specific proposal is one that has bipartisan support and could be enacted quickly. “If we can take pieces out that we know have agreement and we can move that forward and actually make a difference, then we should take every opportunity to do that.”

A recent Stanford University study found four out of 10 patients wound up being surprised with an out-of-network charge on a medical bill. Axne says another study found 10 percent of providers listed in insurance company directories were either no longer in the company’s network — or had never been included at all. Senator Chuck Grassley is co-sponsoring a bill in the U.S. senate to crack down on surprising billing and Grassley is predicting “something’s going to pass” to address the issue.

The Neola Fire Department has announced the department will be implementing a Junior Firefighter Program for 16-to 18-year olds. If you are a student residing in the Neola Fire District, who is interested in a career as a firefighter or Emergency Services Provider (EMS), submit your application by October 25th. Contact any Neola Fireman for details, or JFF Coordinator Nate Andersen at 510-213-9238, for more information.

Sheriff’s deputies in Pottawattamie County, Tuesday, arrested 32-year old Robert Dale Hackwell, of Walnut. Hackwell was arrested at a residence in Walnut, for Violation of a Protection Order/Contempt of Court. He was booked into the Pott. County Jail. 26-year old Cody Duane Wills was arrested Tuesday, after he turned himself-in to the Pott. County Sheriff’s Office on a warrant for Violation of Probation.

29-year old Dalton Lee Dukes, who was being held in the Pott. County Jail, was served Tuesday with a Pott. County warrant for Failure to properly license an animal, and allowing animals to run at large. And, 33-year old Nicole Danielle Stephens was transported to the Pottawattamie County Jail from the Douglas County, Nebraska, Jail. Stephens was wanted on a State of Iowa Felony warrant for Eluding, Reckless Driving and other moving violations.

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) — Jury deliberations are expected to resume Wednesday in the eastern Iowa trial of a woman accused of killing of her former boyfriend in 1992. The case against 56-year-old Annette Cahill was turned over to the jury Tuesday afternoon following closing arguments. Prosecutors say she used a baseball bat to kill 22-year-old Corey Lee Wieneke, whose body was found in October 1992 on his bedroom floor in rural West Liberty. Cahill’s first trial ended in a mistrial in March 2019 when the jury couldn’t reach a verdict.

The Muscatine Journal reports that a prosecutor said Tuesday that Cahill killed Wieneke a day after seeing him leave a bar with another woman. His attorney, Clemens Erdahl, said prosecutors lacked proof against his client, saying, “What evidence is there that Annette struck Corey?” A witness came forward in 2017, saying Cahill had implicated herself in the death in 1992, prompting authorities to re-examine the case. Cahill is now a mother of three adult children and a grandmother.

More State and area news from KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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The Iowa Dept. of Transportation has closed the outside lanes of I-680 and westbound I-680 exit ramp exit 1 near Crescent, as water is inches toward the road. Traffic is still flowing freely this morning on I-29 near mile post 66 (Honey Creek area). Officials are watching this area very closely as conditions could change quickly.

The Creston Police Department says four people were arrested Tuesday, three of them on drug charges. 31-year old Waymond Foster, of Creston, was arrested at around 1-p.m. at his residence, for Violation of a Protection Order, Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense, and Possession of Paraphernalia. Foster was being held in the Union County Jail on awaiting bond hearing. 32-year old Ashley Foster, of the same address, was arrested at about the same time, on the same charges. She was being held in the Adams County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing. At around 1:20-p.m. Tuesday, 18-year old Chaz Miller, of Orient, was arrested the Fosters’ residence, on charges of Possession of a Controlled Substance 1st Offense and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was released from the Union County Jail on a $1,300 bond.

And, at around 11:20-p.m. Tuesday, 27-year old Brandon Case, of Creston, was arrested on a Union County Warrant for Violation of Protection Order. He was being held in the Union County Jail while awaiting a bond hearing.

The area’s latest and/or top news stories at 7:06-a.m. From KJAN News Director Ric Hanson.

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Sheriff’s deputies in Adams County arrested a man on a Public Intoxication charge, Tuesday night, after they saw him stumbling across the road near 7th and Nodaway Streets, in Corning. Authorities say Jerry Lee Gilbert, of Corning, smelled strongly of alcohol when they found him at around 9-p.m.  Gilbert admitted to being intoxicated. He was placed under arrest for Public Intoxication/3rd or subsequent offense, and transported to the Adams County Jail, where his bond was set at $2,000.

SAC CITY, Iowa (AP) — A November trial is scheduled for a volunteer firefighter accused of setting fire to a corncrib in western Iowa’s Sac County. Sac County court records say 25-year-old Brent Mack pleaded not guilty Monday to arson, burglary and other crimes. The trial start is set for Nov. 5.

Authorities say Mack told investigators that he, 18-year-old Alexander Lilly and a 17-year-old girl drove around the county on Aug. 19, looking for a place to set a fire and settled on the corncrib. The plan was to start a fire so Mack could respond with his department from Nemaha to put it out.

The Nemaha and other departments responded to battle the blaze a little more than a mile north of Nemaha. Lilly also has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. The girl has been charged with conspiracy.