Iowa is one of the few states in the country that is well prepared to implement the health reforms. It has implemented local level program like Iowa Cares health plans in various parts of the state over the last three years and the federal health reforms will prove to be an added help to Iowa’s efforts to provide health plans to all the residents of the state.
The local level efforts of Iowa have now turned into a state-wide venture, bringing in relief to a larger number of residents in the state.
- 43,100 Medicare beneficiaries in Iowa who have hit the donut hole will be provided with a one-time rebate check of $250.
- 57,200 small enterprises in the state will be helped with tax credits from the federal government which will make it cheaper for employers to offer insurance to their workers. Small businesses in Iowa currently stay away from providing insurance at work as they have to pay about 18 % more than large ventures for providing the same coverage to their employees.
- A $5 billion temporary fund will help firms provide health plans to all those who have retired early. Companies, unions, state and local governments will be eligible for the benefits which will help more than 36,800 early retirees in Iowa.
- 8330 young Iowans will have access to affordable coverage through the health plans of their parents. Health carriers must allow unmarried children to stay in their parents’ coverage till they turn 26.
- Lifetime limits on coverage provided by health plans will be eliminated. This will protect 1.9 million residents of Iowa from expensive medical bills and out-of pocket spendings.
- Iowa will have a funding of $ 34.5 million federal dollars to help uninsured residents with pre-existing medical conditions purchase health plans through a high risk pool program. This program will be administered by the central government if the State chooses not to run it.
- Children in Iowa will not be discriminated on the basis of their existing medical conditions and will be able to access health plans.
The Affordable Care Act will give the residents of Iowa the freedom to keep a health plan if they like it. In new health plans, applicants will be able to choose any participating primary care provider. Prior authorization will not be required for emergency care or when women in Iowa see an ob-gyn. The health reforms will also fund the 83 Community Health Centres in Iowa and the National Health Service Corps, to serve 8% of Iowa’s population that lives in underserved area.
Funding of Medicaid will also be increased so as to extend the government sponsored program to all low-income population in Iowa, irrespective of age, disability or the family status. The new health reform plans will make coverage more affordable and make the insurance market more competitive in Colorado.
