House Journal: Page 309: Tuesday, February 12, 2002
GOVERNOR'S ITEM VETO MESSAGE
A copy of the following communication was received and placed on
file:
February 8, 2002
The Honorable Brent Siegrist
Speaker of the House
State Capitol Building
L O C A L
Dear Speaker Siegrist:
I hereby transmit House File 2245, an act relating to the medical assistance
program, making appropriations and transfers of funds, and providing an effective
date.
The medical assistance supplemental bill is vitally important for hundreds of
thousands of Iowans. This bill makes significant strides toward addressing the
increased demand for medical services by families in need.
However, the bill has several provisions, which I cannot support. I oppose attempts
to raise prescription costs on Iowans in need and add an unnecessary, burdensome
layer of bureaucracy and cost to the delivery of medical assistance. In addition, the
anticipated cost savings for some provisions are overstated. The burdens created for
some families and health care providers are also unacceptable.
House File 2245 is, therefore, signed on this date with the following exceptions,
which I hereby disapprove.
I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 4, subsection 2 in its
entirety. This language directs any remaining funds in the Hospital Trust Fund after
the first $7 million is appropriated to replace the $2.5 million in the Tobacco
Endowment. By vetoing this provision, any funds remaining in the Hospital Trust
Fund would be transferred to the Senior Living Trust in accordance with Section 4,
subsection 3 of the bill. This veto will improve the balance between resources used by
the Senior Living Trust and Tobacco Settlement Endowment. It will also preserve the
priority of long-term care transitions over the endowment.
I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 5, subsection 2 in its
entirety. This language directs that if certain federal funds are not received during the
present fiscal year, the Department of Human Services appropriations will be reduced
by up to $7 million-funds used to protect children and provide health care coverage for
uninsured Iowans. The provision punishes children and Iowans in need because of
action on the part of the federal government.
I am unable to approve the item designated as Section 7, subsection 1 in its
entirety. The legislature's bill would require additional bureaucracy and associated
costs by calling for monthly reporting requirements for those who experience a change
in income, mailing address, household composition, or health insurance. In doing so,
© 2002 Cornell College and
League of Women Voters of Iowa
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