AARP Hearing Center
Health Care For Low-Income Iowans:
What’s Wrong With The Current System?
- More than 17,000 Iowans 50 to 64-years old hard hit by financial insecurity are out of work or struggling in jobs without health benefits; they would gain access to Medicaid coverage.
- Medicaid health coverage should be there for hardworking low income Iowans who’ve paid into it throughout their working lives.
| Medicaid Expansion | IowaCare | |
| Iowans Helped | 110,000-181,000 (1st 3 yrs) | 66,580 (capped, demand exceeds supply) |
| Cover all legal Iowans with single incomes under $14,856/yr | Yes | No |
| Coverage Location and Access | Statewide | Only 2 hospitals (Des Moines and Iowa City), plus 6 health centers* |
| Primary Care Coverage | Yes, statewide | Just 8 designated medical homes* |
| Prescription Drug Coverage | Yes (required) | No |
| Mental Health Coverage | Yes (required) | No |
| Transportation Covered | Some | No |
| Local Rehabilitative Service | Yes (required) | Not at any non-IowaCare provider |
| Federal Taxpayer Costs | Yes (already appropriated and allocated by ACA) | Yes (would require allocation, if Feds approve and renew) |
| Iowa State Taxpayer Costs | $0 (1st 3 yrs); 10% after 2020 | $48 million next 2 yrs alone |
| Polk County Tax Levy Used | No (not for Expansion) 0% | Yes (used for 22% of match) |
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