FROM THE DESK OF REPRESENTATIVE DE BOEF

March 24, 2005

Last year, the House passed two bills that offered direct help to seniors, both of which were vetoed by the governor.  Our commitment to seniors is never-ending; that is why I’m pleased to tell you that we are back with those bills, and we will pass them again, despite the governor’s unfortunate actions last year.

The first is a prescription drug assistance program for Iowa’s seniors.  Many seniors – and lower income Iowans – need assistance with the cost of their prescriptions.  This bill (HF 709) implements a streamlined way for Iowans to enroll in existing discount programs.  The insurance commissioner projects that this approach could save eligible Iowans between $6 million to $10 million annually on prescription drugs. This program will also help Iowa’s seniors identify qualifying Medicare discount cards as the federal program goes into effect.

Last year, this bill passed 98-0 in the House and 47-0 in the Senate.  This week, the bill passed in Appropriations Committee with a 24-0 vote.  Rep. Dave Heaton of Mt. Pleasant, the originator of this bill, is working to fund the operations of the bill in his Health and Human Services appropriations bill. 

The second bill (HF 736) is a long-term care insurance partnership that offers incentives for Iowans – older and younger – to invest in long-term care insurance.  If the customer obtains a policy that meets certain thresholds set by the federal government, they’ll be eligible to protect some, if not all, of their assets.  Bottom line: by providing incentives for Iowans to enroll in long-term care insurance, the state will see fewer Iowans needing to be on Medicaid to provide for their health care as seniors.  This will not only benefit seniors, but will provide a huge savings in the Medicaid program, which consistently runs in the red.

Last year, this bill passed the House 96-0 and 35-12 in the Senate.  This bill was also recently passed by the Appropriations Committee with a 24-0 vote. 

It is my hope that the governor will put aside partisan wrangling this year and sign these two bills into law.  Nationally last year, the rising prescription and health care costs were used as a political play in the elections.  We hope this will not be so much of an issue this year.  If this proves to be the case, then perhaps the Governor will concur with the overwhelming votes taken in the legislature on these two issues.  Fortunately calmer heads in the electorate prevailed, and your Republican-led Iowa House will again put forth bold proposals to put seniors on sound footing, and keep the state on sound budgeting.

Question of the Week…

The Iowa Legislature has borrowed money from every fund available to balance the growing budget.  Do you agree that a more clearly defined spending limitation should be enacted?

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