Iowa Governor Culver: Today We Are Closer To Giving Every Iowa Child Quality, Affordable Health Insurance

New Legislation will insure an additional 12,380 Iowa children

May 19, 2009 -- DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Chet Culver took another step forward in his efforts to cover every Iowa child by signing Senate File 389 into law today at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines. The legislation provides $5.7 million for the state’s Medicaid and HAWK-I programs, which will help provide an additional 12,380 children access to quality, affordable health care.

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“One of my top priorities as Governor is to see that every Iowa child has access to the health care they not only need, but deserve,” said Governor Culver. “This legislation moves us closer to our goal, and ensures that more Iowa children will grow up to be healthy adults. Our work is not done, and I look forward to working with the legislature and all Iowans as we continue our work to give our children a bright, healthy future.”

Upon taking office, Governor Culver and Lt. Governor Judge made a commitment to Iowans to do whatever they can to ensure that all Iowa children have access to quality, affordable health insurance.

Due to the efforts of the Governor and the legislature, more than 32,000 Iowa children have received health insurance through HAWK-I and Medicaid since he took office, in addition to the 12,380 covered by today’s legislation.

Senate File 389 creates a plan to provide health insurance for Iowa children under 300% of the federal poverty limit who are currently uninsured. It allocates $5.7 million to cover children in families under 300% of the federal poverty level through the Medicaid and HAWK-I programs. This step puts Iowa on course to cover 90% of eligible children under 300% of the federal poverty level by FY 2011.

In addition, the legislation allocates more than $510,000 to provide 11,000 children with dental care in the next fiscal year, and nearly $1,450,000 to cover almost 25,000 children in FY2011.

Finally, the legislation establishes a new commission to make recommendations on how to improve health care for all Iowans.

The Governor was joined at the event by legislators, Broadlawns CEO Jody Jenner, and advocates for Iowa’s children.

“With the passage of Senate file 389, Iowa is once again demonstrating its commitment providing quality, affordable health care for our children,” said Carrie Fitzgerald, Senior Health Policy Associate at the Child and Family Policy Center. “This bill is a solid example of Government working together to do what is best for children, families, and all Iowans. Iowa is leading the nation in providing health insurance for our children, and for that all of us should feel proud.”

Source: Iowa Governor