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Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:
HF 387
A bill for an act creating the better caths for Iowa Act including a review of the use and reimbursement of certain catheters under the Medicaid program.
Subcommittee members: Bradley-CH, Bergan, Turek
Date: Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Time: 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Location: RM 102, Sup. Ct. Consult
Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.
Comments Submitted:

02-27-2023
Mary Rottinghaus [Center Point-Urbana Schools]
People with disabilities who rely upon safe, sterile medical equipment deserve to have our Department of Human Services be on the lookout for their safety and wellbeing.Catheterization is sometimes humiliating and embarrassing. But it IS essential to promote general health when a debilitating condition makes it necessary. If that medical equipment is defective or has the potential of causing harm and our health care industry is unwilling to take a proactive stance in its regard, I would find that an egregious dereliction of duty and rejection of responsibility.
02-27-2023
Tucker Cassidy [Upgrade Medicaid ]
My name is Tucker Cassidy and I have had a spinal cord injury for 28 years. That's over a half of my life, as I am now 47. Due to my spinal cord injury, I have been a regular catheter user for 28 years as well. So imagine my shock and dismay when I learned that a chemical compound linked to cancer called DEHP has been on every catheter I have ever used for that entire time. Think about that. That a chemical compound KNOWN to be linked to cancer has been imposed upon my life through no fault of my own. What's worse is knowing that because I have had to utilize Medicaid due to my disability, I have been practically forced to use the DEHP treated catheters. I have no choice.That is why this bill deserves your support: disabled folks like myself who depend upon catheters 24/7 have enough troubles living without having to fear an increased chance for bladder cancer. Studies show that bladder cancer for spinal cord injured persons like myself are at a four times higher risk. We are also at an eight times higher risk for dying from that cancer. Haven't we endured enough? Should we not have a choice? And do you feel good as a legislature allowing this to happen to the largest minority in your state?Please make the right decision here and support this bill. My life literally and figuratively depends upon it.