 April 27, 2008
2008 Session Ends
At 2:38 AM, April 26, 2008, we completed a successful and
historic legislative session! By the time we adjourned, we passed a fiscally
responsible, balanced state budget that keeps our historic commitments in
education, health care, job creation and public safety.
The budget is a 3.7% increase over last year, which is lower than the
current rate of inflation. Our state savings are at the highest level in
Iowa history at $615 million.
For most of the past year, I have devoted myself to working on improving the
health care delivery system in Iowa. I was a co-chair of the Legislative
Commission on Affordable Health Care Plans for Small Businesses and Families
Commission along with Senator Jack Hatch. We traveled across the state and
met with many people as we gathered information and ideas. Last week, we
passed House File 2539, the Health Care Reform bill, which is based on the
recommendations of that Commission and it also includes parts of a bill
proposed by Governor Chet Culver. The bill passed both chambers of the
legislature by a wide margin which means it had bi-partisan support.
The General Assembly intends that all Iowans eventually have health care
coverage with the first priority being health care coverage for all children
by January 1, 2011. Our health care reform efforts this year makes sure
every Iowa child has health insurance within three years and the legislation
will improve both the quality and affordability of health care for everyone.
In addition to co-chairing the Commission, my focus within the Commission
was on developing a medical home policy. I worked with Dr. David Carlyle, an
Ames family physician who not only studies the medical home concept, he puts
it into practice. Our goal is that every Iowan will eventually have a
medical “home” to better coordinate health care needs, especially those with
chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma. Research from other states
provides evidence that by implementing patient centered medical homes,
chronic disease management together with focusing on prevention and wellness
should lower costs and improve quality.
There are two items in the bill that will have an immediate impact on Iowa
families. One feature of the bill requires that insurance companies allow
children to be covered up to the age of 26, or so long as the dependent
child maintains full-time status as a student in a post-secondary
educational institution. In addition, individuals who move from a group
insurance policy to an individual insurance policy will not be denied or
underwritten due to preexisting conditions.
It is encouraging to me that we can set aside partisanship and work and work
together to improve the quality of life for all Iowans. The bill will now
move to the Governor for his signature.
Another important health care measure occurred when the Legislature approved
a statewide ban on smoking in public places. 99% of Iowa workers will now be
able to avoid second-hand smoke and lower the high cost of tobacco related
illnesses. It is estimated that Iowans spend about $1 Billion per year on
tobacco related illnesses with about 1/3 of that amount borne by our
government supported programs of Medicaid and Medicare.
In addition, we made Iowa the “Green State” with another $25 million for the
Iowa Power Fund. We increased the amount of energy from renewable sources,
made Iowa a world leader in manufacturing alternative energy equipment and
took steps to improve energy efficiency and conservation. And, the Resource
Enhancement and Protection Program (REAP) had another record year, reaching
$18 million.
In Education, we expanded access to quality preschool for four year olds;
raised teacher salaries from 42nd to 25th in the nation; held down tuition
at our universities to the lowest level in 25 years; and expanded work-study
initiatives to help kids pay for college. We approved 4% allowable growth
for the 2009-2010 school year and we increased the Iowa Tuition Grant
program for those Iowa students attending one of our great private colleges
such as Cornell.
Although I have announced that I will not seek a seventh term in the Iowa
House, I was elected to serve my constituents until the next legislator from
House District 29 is sworn in next January, 2009. I have every intention of
fulfilling my commitment and contract with my friends and neighbors in our
legislative district. It has been my privilege and honor to serve you.
The legislature is no longer in session in Des Moines. You can write me at
my home address: P.O. Box 128, Mount Vernon, IA 52314; call me at
319/895-6043; or e-mail me at ro.foege@legis.state.ia.us.
Ro
|