Medicaid Privatization Program Now To Start On March 1st
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal officials called for a two-month delay in Iowa’s switch to a private Medicaid program but signaled the state likely will get approval to make the change.
The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Thursday ordered a halt until March 1 of plans to hand over management of the $4.2 billion health care program for 560,000 poor and disabled residents to for-profit insurance companies.
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad had planned to make the switch beginning Jan. 1.
Branstad surprised the medical community and lawmakers last January with the plan he says will save $47 million in the first six months.
Federal regulators told state officials Iowa needs more time but that approval is anticipated once the state is ready for a seamless transition that will not disrupt care.
Public Information Board Says Law Enforcement Officials Can Remain Silent On Gun Contracts
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Public Information Board says Iowa’s executive branch can keep secret a review of the way major handgun contracts were awarded.
The board accepted staff’s recommendation Thursday to reject a complaint by The Associated Press, which had sought the information since May. The board says the Department of Public Safety could have responded quicker, but is justified in withholding records.
At issue is the public’s right to know more about contracts with Smith and Wesson to supply firearms to state officers. Hundreds of guns were returned after the agency alleged they were defective. The department hired two retired agents to review the purchasing process surrounding the contracts. The AP sought their findings.
Assistant attorney general Jeff Peterzalek argued the findings are an attorney-work product because he directed their investigation.
King Says He Will Vote Down Proposed House Budget Bill
(Washington) — Republican Congressman Steve King says grassroots Republicans have every right to be frustrated by the massive federal budget package that will be voted upon by the U.S. House tomorrow (Friday).
Listen to
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H-two-B (H2B) temporary work visas are granted to low-skilled foreigners who are allowed to enter the country to work in seasonal, non-agricultural jobs. King says it means nearly 200-thousand people will be brought into the country to do things like “clean hotel rooms and wait tables.”
Listen to
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King drafted nine different amendments that would “defund” several federal initiatives, including the E-P-A’s Waters of the U.S. rule and the U.S. nuclear deal with Iran, but the House committee that reviews amendments rejected all nine.
Listen to
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King also tried to nix federal funding for Planned Parenthood and for implementing “ObamaCare”. King says his office has been flooded with calls from conservatives who oppose the budget deal and it’s time for Republicans to “retool”.
Listen to
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King has voted “yes” on another bill that extends a series of tax breaks, including the wind production tax credit. That incentive for the wind industry would be maintained for two more years, then phased out by 2022. Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, the new Republican speaker of the House, has said that tax package, combined with the budget deal, includes things that both Republicans and Democrats can support. For example, the budget bill includes language Republicans sought that will end the 40-year ban on exporting U.S. oil.
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North High School Teacher Arrested For Sending Sexual Text To Student
(Sioux City) — Sioux City Police have arrested a North High school band teacher with sexual exploitation of a minor, a class D felony. The arrest of 34 year old Lucas Sursely of Sioux City comes after authorities received a complaint of possible inappropriate texting by Sursely with a student at the same school.
17 Year Old Missing Boy’s Body Found In Pond
GRANGER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a body found in a pond in central Iowa belongs to a 17-year-old boy who had been reported missing.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a body discovered Thursday in Granger was identified as Sam Kemp of Des Moines. An autopsy has been scheduled.
Kemp was reported missing Sunday and a search for the teen was under way when authorities located the body. The search included more than a dozen agencies and personnel traveling by foot, vehicle and water.
Authorities have not released additional information.
Two People Challenge Tickets From Speeding Cameras
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Two people who received speeding violations from automated traffic enforcement cameras on Interstate Highway 235 have filed a lawsuit against the city of Des Moines.
Waukee resident David Peter Veng-Pedersen and “Lion King” cast member Reuven Weizberg filed the lawsuit this week in Polk County District Court.
Last spring, Veng-Pedersen received a speeding ticket, and Weizberg received three.
The men allege their equal protection rights were violated because not every registered vehicle owner the cameras catch speeding receive citations.
The men argue that since the Iowa Department of Transportation ordered automated traffic enforcement cameras turned off in March, the citations shouldn’t have been issued. They ask that related fines collected by the city of Des Moines be refunded.
Des Moines officials told the Des Moines Register (https://dmreg.co/1IcTmQB ) they couldn’t comment because they haven’t seen the suit.
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