Iowa is the latest Republican-led state to embrace the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Thursday, Governor Terry Branstad announced he had reached an
agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services that will
allow Iowa to expand its Medicaid program under Obamacare. According to
the Washington Post,
Iowa will be allowed to charge a nominal premium to people making
between 100% and 133% of the federal poverty level. The premium would be
equal to 2% of income, or about $19 per month for someone at the
current poverty line. That premium could be reduced if the insured
participates in a wellness program.
Lauding the compromise as “an Iowa plan that fits the health needs of
our state,” Gov. Branstad said as many as 150,000 Iowans could
ultimately be covered under the expansion.
White House spokesman Jay Carney welcomed Gov. Branstad’s
announcement, saying it is “great news for the thousands of Iowans who
will now have access to quality, affordable health insurance coverage
thanks to the Affordable Care Act.”
Gov. Branstad is the tenth Republican governor to decide to participate in the expansion of Medicaid under Obamacare.
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