House Journal: Page 40: Tuesday, January 11, 2000
Iowa a healthier state. How we decide to invest these settlement funds will say much
about our collective desire to improve the health and welfare of Iowans. Let us join
together for a healthier Iowa today, where disease, illness and the after-effects are
properly treated or prevented.
Where the stress and burden of illness and disease experienced by many Iowa
families is relieved. If we invest $55 million of tobacco settlement funds, we receive an
immediate return of $100 million of federal resources. Our investment will also pay for
itself in general funds of health care savings, as we realize millions in savings over
time. More important than dollars and cents are the lives that will be saved. Here is
what we must do:
1. Educate young people not to smoke or convince them to stop smoking
through an aggressive anti-tobacco and enforcement program as
proposed by Attorney General Tom Miller; this will save over a
thousand young lives a year.
2. Help Iowa’s working families provide health insurance for their
children through Hawk-I insurance and expanded Medicaid eligibility;
this will impact tens of thousands of our children.
3. Extend the time of residential substance abuse and mental health
treatments and give those in need of help a real shot at recovery;
4. Expand respite care for over one thousand families coping with the
difficult task of caring for a loved one who is physically or mentally
challenged, including brain injured loved ones;
5. Create better access to primary care through stronger public health
initiatives and from a variety of health care professionals who will be
better compensated for their efforts; and,
6. Respond to the Older Iowan Legislature’s number one legislative goal
by using federal funds in setting a national standard with a high
quality, comprehensive care system for older Iowans needing home
health care, assisted living, or nursing home care. A system that
leads the nation in insuring the maximum level of independence and
quality of life for this most important group of Iowans.
Finally, if we are to lead in health care, we must erase the stigma of mental illness.
Mental illness affects one out of every four Iowa families. A better public/private
partnership must be developed if we are to properly and promptly treat mental illness.
Iowa is the nation’s insurance capital. In that capacity, our state has the unique
responsibility and opportunity to lead - and lead we will when we establish full parity
for mental illness coverages in insurance policies. Parity’s time in Iowa has come.
Will an improved quality of life and Iowa being a national leader in preventative
health care make a difference and lead to more Iowans, younger Iowans and better
paid Iowans?
Let me tell you the story of Yukio Strachan from Des Moines. Yukio came to Drake
University’ School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences from Chicago. After receiving her
© 2000 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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Last update: Tue Jan 18 08:25:00 CST 2000
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