Meeting Public Comments

Jordan True []

This bill currently makes minimal changes to current law that will have very little impact on letting workers without disabilities live above the poverty line.This bill needs:1. 450% of Federal Poverty Limit or higher income limits.2. Income limits only applied to the worker with disabilities, not the entire household.3. Exclusions to asset limits must include homes and adapted vehicles.

Lori Janke [Iowa Disability Caucus ]

The state of Iowa needs to do better for it's disabled population. We are already harming our disabled community and this is evident in the lack of secondary education & competitive jobs that our disabled population have a year after graduation, unlike their non disabled peers. This bill in it's current state ads insult to an already compounding injury. This bill as it stands, makes minimal changes to current law that will have very little impact on letting workers with disabilities live above the poverty line. Being disabled should not be punishable like this from the state government. This bill needs:1. 450% of Federal Poverty Limit or higher income limits. Why are we demanding that those with a disability be punished by limiting their existence into poverty? 2. Income limits only applied to the worker with disabilities, not the entire household.3. Exclusions to asset limits must include homes and adapted vehicles as you are harming any type of generational support families may be able to supply, which is not something that is penalized in the non disabled population. There is no reason why we are refusing to allow our disabled population to not be active & productive members of our community, except for enjoying subjecting them to cruelty.

Laurie Ungs []

While it is encouraging that MEPD limits are being considered for an increase, this increase isnt nearly enough. Please consider the increases the Work Without Worry bill endorsed. This bill was written and endorsed by the very people who will rely on these increases. No disabled iowan should have to choose between Medicare benefits and a well paying job

Ben Grauer []

Please consider amending this bill so that disabled Iowans will actually benefit from Medicaid buyin expansion. Arbitrarily restricting allowable income and asset limits to 300% FPL for the household, and increasing couples' asset limits does not encourage individuals with disabilities to pursue gainful employment and meaningfully increase the state's available labor pool. Disabled Iowans are competent and willing to use their talents to contribute to the economy and improve our lives and the economy. If members feel that MEPD must have income and asset limits, they should only apply them to the individual that is covered by Medicaid. Not the household. If that is not done, then there is still a huge penalty for those who wish to get married and work while maintaining their Medicaid benefits. Members of this subcommittee and other legislators who would consider the impact of this bill have the opportunity to make meaningful change for their disabled constituents and improve Iowa's available workforce if they are willing. As written, this bill does not do enough to address either issue. Attached you will find a list of comments from an earlier Appropriations meeting that were in support of HF 2589 or Work Without Worry which increased the INDIVIDUAL income limit for disabled workers to 450% of the FPL and eliminated asset limits. There are quite a bit more of them there than you'll find in support of HSB 747.