The Campaign Begins for Medicaid Expansion

The president of AARP Iowa along with leaders from 47 other public and private advocacy groups is urging state leaders to expand Medicaid to more of Iowa's hardworking singles and families.

“Iowans expect our leaders to come together on solutions for improving health care in Iowa, and expanding Medicaid is a necessary piece of that puzzle,” said AARP State President, Tony Vola.

Vola noted that approximately 17,204 Iowans who are uninsured and would be eligible for Medicaid Expansion are between the ages of 50-64.

“Expanding Medicaid will reduce costly emergency visits, and catch and treat at an earlier stage our growing epidemic of chronic disease in Iowa, which becomes a bigger problem as we age.  It will help Iowans who’ve lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health benefits get access to quality and preventive care so that they can be healthier and more productive,” added Vola.

 The groups supporting expansion include the Iowa Hospital Association, the Iowa Medical Society, AARP, the American Cancer Society CAN, the Iowa Catholic Conference, and the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church.

 

 

Watch the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyfXTRMhvW0&list=UUSwELOKemmk9O28nZfb-dyw&index=1[/youtube]