BETTENDORF, Iowa -
Iowa hospitals might finally get a fair deal with Medicare reimbursements. That's because it's part of reform legislation under consideration in Congress.
Unity Healthcare in Muscatine knows about challenges facing Iowa hospitals. A system praised for quality care and cost containment but facing its own financial dilemma. Iowa ranks nearly rock bottom among states for Medicare reimbursement.
"Let's level the playing field and treat Iowa the same as other states," said Iowa Health System CEO Bill Leaver.
That shortfall makes it harder to serve Iowa's aging population. It makes it tougher to recruit doctors to the Hawkeye state. Hope now that federal legislation will reform the system
"I think Iowans should be concerned about our federal tax dollars going to subsidize higher rates in other states," Leaver said.
Those differences over Medicare reimbursement reinforce Iowa's call for health care reform. Reform that also comes in the midst of its state budget crisis.
Iowa lawmakers will be juggling demands of across the board budget cuts while trying to lessen the blows to public safety and health care.
Trinity Regional Health System hosted Iowa lawmakers in Bettendorf Monday for a face-to-face on health care in Iowa.
"There is money to be saved if we utilize our dollars to the best," said State Sen. Joe Seng, (D) Davenport. "We can save money and actually save the state money."
Iowa hospitals and lawmakers concerned about cuts that threaten programs and services. They know that the uninsured will be impacted most by certain belt tightening.
"We want to make sure that those folks who are uninsured have that quality piece of health care," said State Rep. Phyllis Thede, (D) Bettendorf. "That's so they're able to get care that they need."
It's care that Iowa hospitals want to provide while the political wheels are spinning at the state and federal levels.
"This is going to be a very tough budget session," said State Rep. Jim Lykam, (D) Davenport. "We're in tough times, and the average person is worried about their job. We had to do it."
As the bipartisan call for Medicare reform grows louder.
Unity Healthcare in Muscatine knows about challenges facing Iowa hospitals. A system praised for quality care and cost containment but facing its own financial dilemma. Iowa ranks nearly rock bottom among states for Medicare reimbursement.
"Let's level the playing field and treat Iowa the same as other states," said Iowa Health System CEO Bill Leaver.
That shortfall makes it harder to serve Iowa's aging population. It makes it tougher to recruit doctors to the Hawkeye state. Hope now that federal legislation will reform the system
"I think Iowans should be concerned about our federal tax dollars going to subsidize higher rates in other states," Leaver said.
Those differences over Medicare reimbursement reinforce Iowa's call for health care reform. Reform that also comes in the midst of its state budget crisis.
Iowa lawmakers will be juggling demands of across the board budget cuts while trying to lessen the blows to public safety and health care.
Trinity Regional Health System hosted Iowa lawmakers in Bettendorf Monday for a face-to-face on health care in Iowa.
"There is money to be saved if we utilize our dollars to the best," said State Sen. Joe Seng, (D) Davenport. "We can save money and actually save the state money."
Iowa hospitals and lawmakers concerned about cuts that threaten programs and services. They know that the uninsured will be impacted most by certain belt tightening.
"We want to make sure that those folks who are uninsured have that quality piece of health care," said State Rep. Phyllis Thede, (D) Bettendorf. "That's so they're able to get care that they need."
It's care that Iowa hospitals want to provide while the political wheels are spinning at the state and federal levels.
"This is going to be a very tough budget session," said State Rep. Jim Lykam, (D) Davenport. "We're in tough times, and the average person is worried about their job. We had to do it."
As the bipartisan call for Medicare reform grows louder.
