DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – One of the companies involved in Iowa’s privately managed Medicaid system intends to reduce payments to agencies that serve thousands of people with disabilities, which is raising concerns that some of the organizations could go out of business.

The Des Moines Register reports that letters sent this week show AmeriHealth Caritas plans to cut the rates to the minimum. AmeriHealth is one of three national insurance companies that took over management of Iowa’s Medicaid program last April. The program covers about 600,000 Iowa residents, including tens of thousands with serious disabilities.

The company negotiated higher rates than Iowa required it to pay community agencies for services given to residents with disabilities. But contracts with the agencies allow the management company to cut those rates at any time.

The Page County Sheriff’s Office says no injuries were reported following an accident Wednesday afternoon, east of Clarinda. Authorities say 38-year old Troy Donavan Peterson, of Essex, was driving a 1995 International 1000 series panel truck owned by UPS from Des Moines, and was traveling east in a driveway at 2215 U Avenue, after making a delivery.

55-year old Brenda Rose Lisle,  of 2215 U Avenue was westbound in the driveway in her 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee. As both vehicles approached a curve in the single lane drive, their front ends collided, causing heavy, but functional damage. The accident happened at around 1:18-p.m.

The UPS truck and SUV sustained an estimated $5,000 damage each.

This week, state officials have launched I-Able (https://www.iable.gov/)– a new savings plan for Iowans who want to save for the care of a mentally or physically disabled family member. State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald says Iowa is partnering with 14 states to offer this program. “Through our partnership, we were able to accomplish our goals to make this simple and easy and, especially the investment options, easy to understand,” Fitzgerald says. “We make it inexpensive. You can start an IAble plan for as little as $25.”

Fitzgerald says I-Able gives Iowans concerned about the well-being of a loved one the opportunity save for future disability-related expenses. “You can save for housing, transportation, assistive technology, education and much more,” Fitzgerald says. “Families can save up to $14,000 per year.”

However, there is an upper limit to each account of 100-thousand dollars in total contributions. Savers will get a tax break, similar to the “College Savings Iowa” accounts Fitzgerald’s office also manages. In addition, these I-Able savings accounts won’t make the Iowan ineligible for Social Security Disability benefits or Medicaid. “That’s a real important feature for families and people with disabilities,” Fitzgerald says.

Under current rules, a disabled American loses their Social Security Disability and Medicaid benefits if they have more than two-thousand dollars in savings. Fitzgerald officially unveiled the I-Able program THIS week, but the website went live LAST week and five people found it and signed up. “We know the need is there, but we wanted to make sure all the bells and whistles were working,” Fitzgerald says. “…When we say it’s smooth and easy, we want to make sure it is.”

I-Able was developed based on tax breaks outlined in the federal “Achieving a Better Life Experience” or ABLE Act.

(Radio Iowa)

The Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office reports one person was arrested on a warrant related to a drug charge. 19-year old Deontas Isaiah Davis, of Council Bluffs, was arrested today (Thursday) at around 1:15-a.m., following a traffic stop. A records check indicated Davis was wanted on a Council Bluffs Police warrant for Failure to Appear in court on Possession of a Controlled Substance, charge.

And, 27-year old Nathan Jeffrey Nissen, of Council Bluffs, turned himself-in to authorities, Wednesday morning. Nissen was wanted on a warrant for Probation Violation.

Many people wait until there is a crisis to discuss financing for long-term care. Planning ahead can make decisions easier on both the caregiver and the care receiver. To help families begin to have these important discussions, Cass County Extension is pleased to be hosting the Finances of Caregiving series this winter. Finances of Caregiving is a new series of 5 workshops designed to help families plan together for the care receiver’s care. The series begins Tuesday, February 21, and runs for 5 consecutive Tuesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the Cass County Extension Office in Atlantic.

“It is important to plan ahead while the care receiver still has the capacity to sign legal documents. It is also important to involve all members of the family so that the care receiver’s wishes are clearly understood,” says instructor Sandra McKinnon, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Human Science Specialist, Family Finance.

“Life expectancy for Americans continues to increase, so it is more and more likely that most adults will be caring for an elderly parent or relative,” says McKinnon. Long term caregiving has significant financial consequences for caregivers, particularly for women. If it is necessary for the caregiver to leave work or reduce hours, they will need to prepare for retirement while providing care.

“Understanding your choices means knowing your current situation,” says McKinnon.  “This program guides you through finding and collecting that information. In this workshop, caregivers and care receivers create an information binder to help family members when a crisis does occur. It will take time, but it will be time well spent,” she adds.

The fee for the entire series is $20. Each participant receives a financial binder and other planning resources that they will use to create a family care plan throughout the course. Family members are encouraged to attend together to create a comprehensive plan that is respectful to the wishes of all parties.

The workshop series is presented by Cass County Extension. To register, contact the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132, or stop by 805 West 10th St., in Atlantic.You can also visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/ for more information, or a printable registration form.

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold a special, closed session Monday afternoon, with regard to the Superintendent Interview and candidate selection process. The Board will meet with representatives from Ray and Associates, the firm selected to conduct the online survey back in October. 483 survey forms were filled out and submitted. The submissions came from a wide cross section of the community and school district, and revealed that there were 33 qualities the respondents sought in a new Superintendent.

The deadline for application materials to be submitted by prospective candidates was January 30^th.  School Board President Ali Bruckner said were 43 completed applications for the Superintendent’s job. The Board will review 15 applications. Ray and Associates will also meeting with the various community, teacher and student groups to formulate their questions for the candidates.

The firm will also explain what the interview process will consist of and the procedures involved. The Board hopes to interview the top candidates during the week of Feb. 20^th. The person who is ultimately selected for the position will succeed Dr. Michael Amstein, who is retiring at the end of the current school year.

(8-a.m. News)

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

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MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) – A Mason City mom accused of making her kids sleep in a feces-covered room has pleaded guilty. Online court records say 26-year-old Alexis Martinez filed a written plea Wednesday to one count of felony neglect of a dependent person. She’d been charged with three counts. The records don’t list a sentencing date.

Court documents say Martinez forced her children, ages 2, 4 and 6, in late August to sleep for a week in a room that had feces on the walls and floor.

A man from Malvern was taken into custody early this (Thursday) morning after being taken down by the Fremont County K9 unit. Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports that at around 3:16-a.m., the K9 Unit (Deputy Zac Buttercase & his K9 partner “Judge”) were called to assist Mills County Sheriff’s Deputies in the vicinity of 55489 295th Street (by Silver City). Authorities were searching for a suspect who had fled from a burglary scene.

After a perimeter was established by Mills County Deputies, the Fremont County K9 tracked the suspect through about One and one-quarter miles of timber, fields and creek beds.

Suspect Jeremy Erickson

When the K9 unit located the suspect, 37-year old Jeremy Erickson, of Malvern, he was given commands to surrender, but instead turned to flee.  Fremont County K9 “Judge” tackled Erickson, allowing him to be taken into custody without further incident.

Erickson was checked by medical staff on the scene before being transported to the Mills County Jail, where he was being held on several charges. The incident remains under investigation by Mills County authorities.

Fremont County K9 “Judge”

The area’s top news at 7:06-a.m., w/KJAN News Director Ric Hanson

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