Direct Care Workers in Iowa achieve Health Care Coverage

This year the Iowa CareGivers Association (ICA) helped lead a coalition of advocates for expansion of adult coverage as well as the funding of a premium assistance demonstration project for direct-care workers. While the priority of the legislature for this year was expanding coverage for children, we were able to get specific language included in the health reform bill (SF 389) that new coverage options for adults would be available for purchase by July 1, 2010. Affordable, quality coverage for adults will enable many direct-care workers in Iowa to have health insurance which they currently cannot afford. In addition, the 2009 General Assembly agreed to fund a demonstration project that will allow a minimum of 250 direct care workers in Iowa to participate in a premium assistance project. The project will assist those workers in paying for coverage that is currently available to them through their employer, but that they do not access due to its cost. The outline for the demonstration project was developed in 2008 by an advisory council that included the Iowa Caregivers Association, agencies of state government, and long term care employers. The advocates were also able to secure a number of seats on a reconstituted Legislative Health Care Coverage Commission. Details about the adult plan will be decided by the members of this Commission. The ability to serve on and provide technical support to this Commission will enable us to hold the legislature accountable for meeting the July 2010 goal. John Hale Policy Director Iowa Caregivers Association