Advocates for disabled patients are speaking out about upcoming changes in Iowa’s privately-managed Medicaid program. One of the for-profit companies managing the program is ending its contract with the state on November 30th. Critics say it will be difficult for the 18-thousand patients who need services including daily feeding and bathing to change case managers and providers by December 1st.
Iowa Department of Human Services director Jerry Foxhoven says 215-thousand Iowa Medicaid patients have had their care managed by the exiting company and all of them will be switched to United Health Care.
State Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, says vulnerable Iowans who depend on Medicaid for the basic functions of life deserve better. Bolkcom is a member of the advisory panel that met with Foxhoven, and the two has a tense exchange.
Iowa’s Medicaid program had been managed by state employees, but Governor Terry Branstad oversaw the switch to having three private companies manage care for all Medicaid patients in Iowa, beginning in April of last year.
