The two candidates running to be Iowa’s next governor met for their third and final debate last (Tuesday) night, answering questions on a variety of issues, including property taxes. Radio Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson reports.
The candidates were asked about how the state could improve access to mental health treatment in Iowa. Lahn said Iowa does need to open more mental health facilities, but the question is how they’re financed.
Sand says he’s heard from people who work in Iowa’s mental health system who are struggling financially or even closing clinics because they’re not being adequately paid for serving Medicaid patients.
Sand’s brother-in-law died earlier this month after being struck by a vehicle and a statement from the family indicated Walter Lauridsen (lor-ihd-sun) had lived with mental health complexities. Sand has suggested firing the private companies that have managed Medicaid reimbursements for the past decade and having state employees oversee the system again.
Lahn says the state can provide better oversight of the private companies managing Medicaid payments.
The 90-minute-long debate was sponsored by K-C-R-G T-V and The Gazette in Cedar Rapids.
