FROM THE DESK OF

REPRESENTATIVE DE BOEF

 

February 21, 2008

 

 

This week we got an opportunity to hear Major General Ron Dardis give his “Condition of the National Guard Speech”.  Major General Dardis told us the state of the Iowa National Guard is strong.  He spoke of the huge challenges presented now after six years of active involvement in conflict in Afghanistan & Iraq.  He offered some stellar examples of soldiers and families who show tremendous commitment to our protection.  He gave an example of one such man.  I will offer quotes from Dardis’ message.  “His name is Capt. David Harper, a traditional soldier assigned to the Iowa Army National Guard’s 224th Engineer Battalion.  When he’s not serving in uniform, Capt. Harper is the Dean of Students at Pekin High School in Packwood where he also coaches football, wrestling, basketball, track, and baseball.”

“Capt. Harper selflessly gives of his time and talents to the community of Packwood.  He commits time to enhancing school facilities, performing maintenance for elderly and disadvantaged community members, delivering Thanksgiving meals, and spending time with youngsters through participation in the Big Brothers program.  He has served his community, state, and nation in a selfless manner throughout his life.  He served more than 11 years as an Enlisted Soldier, including six months deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1991, on state active duty in support of the 1993 Floods, and most recently on active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, from October 2004 –January 2006.”  Capt. Harper has chosen a career as an educator, and a soldier, in order to make a positive impact on the future of his community, state, and nation.  He embodies the traits, characteristics, and values that we espouse in our members.  He is a role model for all Iowans and a proud member of our Iowa National Guard officer corps.” 

Major General Dardis goes on to say.  “Another example is one of the unique things about Iowa is that it’s still a place where a small employer can have a big impact.  Augustine & Sons, a 2,000-acre grain and livestock operation near Rose Hill with only two full-time employees, is a prime example of how size doesn’t matter.  This family farm near Oskaloosa is the first Iowa recipient of the Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom award presented annually to employers for outstanding support to employees serving in the National Guard and Reserves.” 

“Ladies and Gentlemen: this is a big deal!  There are only 15 such awards given each year in a country with millions of employers, large and small.  Augustine & Sons must have been one of the smallest.  In September last year, they went to Washington to receive the award and met the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of Defense.  A scheduled six minute photo op turned into a nearly hour-long conversation with President Bush.  Augustine & Sons is making a big difference for the family of 1st Sgt. Matt Strasser currently serving overseas with an Afghanistan National Army Training team.  But don’t take my word for it; listen to how 1st Sgt. Strasser describes what his employer has done for his family:

“ ‘Thank you for letting me come and go during my last few weeks of work so I could spend as much time with my family as possible. Thank you for allowing my family to live on the farm during my first deployment, rent free. (they are again providing this benefit).  ‘Thank you for taking my boys fishing, watching their sports games while I'm gone and fixing their dirt bikes. Thank you for watching them when they're sick so my wife, Jessica, can go to work, and for flowers on our kitchen table when she's had a rough day.  Thank you for plowing winter's snow from the drive and for taking time away from your own families to help mine.’ ”

“These are just a few of the things the Augustine’s have done for their employee.  There are many others.  One of our values is selfless service – Augustine & Sons has clearly demonstrated this enduring Iowa National Guard value.  Continued employer support for our deployed soldiers and airmen is crucial.  1st Sgt. Strasser said it best: this support allows us to do what we do with total commitment and the confidence that our families and our jobs will be safe.”

Although neither of these are actually my constituents, Pekin High School is in my district and the Augustine’s are longtime acquaintances of mine.  I think these folks provide an impeccable example of the kind of commitment that is inherent in our Iowa National Guard & our U. S. military.

Consultant: Cost of Democrat’s Health Care Plan is $550 million

 

On Tuesday, the cost of the health insurance mandate bill proposed by legislative Democrats became very clear to Iowans.  The impact is still reverberating throughout the Capitol.  John Shiels, a consultant with the Lewin Group, appeared before a joint meeting of the subcommittees considering the bill and made his initial presentation.  In his talk, Shiels went over Lewin’s analysis and laid out what they believed would be covered by a state plan and what the cost would be to individuals and families in the plan.  It was only after the meeting that Shiels told the Des Moines Register the total cost of full implementation of the mandate would be $550 million annually.  The Lewin Group’s assumptions are based on the state providing coverage for 285,000 uninsured Iowans.  Shiels also stated that implementing the individual mandate would increase costs to the health care industry between 2.5 and 3 percent. Lewin’s analysis found that the number of children without coverage between 45,000 and 54,000.  Implementing a mandate for all children in Iowa to be covered would cost at least $25 million.  This is lower than initial projections from LSA and DHS that put the cost closer to $40 million.

 

One part of the discussion that has not been broached yet is who would be the “givers” in this process.  The Health Care Commission proposed a number of assessments on various aspects of health care to fund the mandated coverage for lower income Iowans.  These have been left off the table to this point.

 

In a related note, the Boston Globe reported last Friday that the board overseeing the Massachusetts health plan is considering a 14% percent increase in premiums and dramatic hikes in co-pays for plan participants.  The Massachusetts Connector Board said that these increases were needed since the program had more people sign up than expected.  The Board also reported that businesses in the Bay State were dropping coverage so that their employees could get the state’s plan, which is significantly cheaper for both employers and employees.  This action, known as “crowd out” in the insurance world, was not anticipated by those who put the plan together the program.  Because of these factors, the Connector’s staff now projects that the cost of their program will double in three years.

 

The Massachusetts plan is the blueprint for House Study Bill 636.

 

Visitors to the Capitol

 

Mike Hadley, candidate for Senate District 38.  Wanda Wilkins, Dan Roland & daughter Kennedy, Gary Lyles, and Judy Roland all of Grinnell with the Harness Racing Association.  Also Sandra Miller and students from Williamsburg with Family & Consumer Sciences.

 

Question of the Week…

Do you support increased expansion of the State of Iowa providing health care coverage to more Iowans, regardless of the cost?

 

I would appreciate your input.  My phone number at the Capitol is 515-281-3221, or e-mail me at betty.deboef@legis.state.ia.us.  I would welcome visitors at the Capitol, too!