(Radio Iowa) – G-O-P leaders in the Iowa legislature are promising tax cuts, welfare reform and new state support for parents who enroll their kids in private schools. Democrats say their focus is on addressing Iowa’s workforce shortage. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver, of Ankeny, says major, permanent tax reform is his main goal. “In a post-pandemic economy, the competition is fierce for jobs and citizens,” Whitver says. “If policymakers want to make this state grow, we must be on the list of states with the lowest income tax in America.” House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford isn’t signalling how low the House G-O-P might like to cut income tax rates — only that the state’s surplus must be returned to taxpayers. “This is something every Iowan can understand,” Grassley says. “The state is taking in more tax money that it needs and Iowans deserve to have that money back.”

Senate President Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel, says legislators should take a stand against books in schools that he says describe sexually deviant behavior. “When students are subjected to this violating content, we need to ensure parents have the ability to protect their children by removing them from that district,” Chapman says. “We can and must tear down the financial barriers that prevent parents from making that decision.” Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says workforce is the most important issue facing our state and the G-O-P’s culture war isn’t helping. “As Republican leaders gladly tell us, they have been in full control of our state government since 2017 and Republicans are now promising us more of the same that hasn’t worked to solve our workforce issues,” Wahls says. “…We’ve been told there will be more of the greatest hits this session: more attacks on LGBTQ Iowans, more gasoline on te culture war fire.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says despite philosophical differences, Iowans expect the legislature to tackle challenges. “We see Iowa companies continuing to have ‘Help Wanted’ signs in their windows and they are pleading with us to do all we can to help them find workers,” Konfrst says. “Certainly, workforce challenges are happening all across the country, which is why it’s so important that we work holistically to address this crisis in Iowa.” Konfrst says in addition to making child care not only available, but affordable, there need to be more housing options in Iowa’s small towns, rural areas and cities.

House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, of Missouri Valle,y says there are many opportunities for Republicans and Democrats to work together in 2022. “Let us try and focus on those opportunities to build the bridges instead of burn ’em,” Windschitl said. “I know it’s easy to do when we get on Facebook and Twitter and try to burn down the opposition, but let us find those times when we can actually move forward together and get done what Iowans expect us to do.”

Governor Reynolds will reveal details of her legislative priorities tomorrow (Tuesday) night. The governor’s annual “Condition of the State” address is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.

DES MOINES – A new law passed by a bipartisan majority of Congress in 2020, became effective at the beginning of the month. The No Surprises Act, which passed with a bipartisan majority vote in late 2020, protects Americans from most forms of surprise medical bills, including care provided in an emergency and transportation by air ambulances.

Rep. Cindy Axne was one of those who voted for the bill. Axne says “In a medical emergency, no Iowan should be expected to interrupt the care they’re receiving to ensure that their insurance will cover it. That’s why I voted for this commonsense measure that will protect the one in every five emergency room visitors that are left with astronomical medical bills that they never expected to receive.

The law prevents patients from receiving a surprise medical bill from an out-of-network health provider after:

• receiving emergency care in an emergency room
• receiving any care at an in-network health care provider
• being transported by an air ambulance (airplane or helicopter) to receive additional medical care

Prior to this measure’s passage, Rep. Axne’s office says she successfully pushed congressional leaders to include language to cover surprise bills for air ambulance trips, which are often the only viable emergency transportation available for rural Americans. “In rural parts of Iowa,” she says, “a serious or life-threatening injury can require air ambulances that leave Iowans on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars to get to their nearest hospital – which can sometimes be more than 50 miles away. These trips aren’t a choice. There aren’t alternative arrangements that can save a patient money. These trips are sometimes a life-or-death journey – and yet still they’re causing astronomical bills for my constituents.” “This new law,” she says, “protects them and the thousands of others a year that will need an air ambulance trip to help them in crisis.”

Additional Background:

• Studies estimate that one of every five emergency rooms visits generates surprise medical bills when insured consumers inadvertently receive care from out-of-network hospitals, doctors, or other providers they did not choose.
• The new law applies to hospitals, hospital outpatient services, emergency rooms, urgent care centers, but not to non-emergency services provided at facilities that are unlicensed to provide emergency services (e.g., addiction treatment facilities).
• While the No Surprises Act does not cover ground ambulance trips, Rep. Axne previously fought to ensure emergency medical services (EMS) personnel could receive Medicare reimbursement for care they deliver to patients on scene.

The Treatment in Place Act ensures medical care provided by ground ambulance crews at the site of an emergency are reimbursed even if the patient is not ultimately taken to a hospital. That measure was signed into law in March 2020.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says every issue in Congress doesn’t have to be tied up in partisan politics as the new year is underway. “I think there are a lot of issues that we can focus on that do unite us,” Hinson says.

The Republican from Marion says she’s worked with Democrats on things like renewable fuels. And she says when she talks with her constituents — they want to see things get done. “It’s very clear that people back home in the district want Washington to focus on the priorities that affect the lives of the American people every day….those kitchen table conversations that are happening that really impact lives. So, I am hoping we can come back to center on this — some of these priorities that they realize haven’t gone anywhere,” Hinson says.

Hinson made her comments during a conference call with reporters.

(Des Moines, Iowa (via KCCI) – The Iowa Department of Public Health reports the state’s 14-day COVID-19 test positivity rate is now close to 20%. IDPH released new virus data Monday, showing 32,732 positive tests in the last seven days. That’s up from 24,935 at the last report on Friday. The state’s 14-day positivity rate is now 19.9%, up from 17.5% at the last report.

IDPH data shows those between the ages of 18-29 make up the largest percentage of positive cases at 27% of the total. Those aged 30-39 make up 19% of the positive cases and 40-49-year-old Iowans make up 15% of the cases. The health department reports hospitalizations are down slightly from Friday. There are currently 886 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Iowa, down from 898.

Of those hospitalized with COVID-19, 73.6% are unvaccinated. IDPH reports 81.7% of those listed in intensive care are unvaccinated. The number of Iowa’s long-term care facilities reporting an outbreak climbed from 27 to 32 since Friday.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is calling for bold, yet practical tax cuts as the 2022 legislative session begins. Reynolds was among the speakers at an Iowa G-O-P fundraiser this (Monday) morning.

Senate President Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel, called for complete elimination of the state income tax, but other G-O-P legislators who addressed the crowd did not talk specifics. House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford says the G-O-P has a lot to be happy about.

The House and Senate convened shortly after 10 a.m.

Police in Glenwood, Saturday, arrested an 18-year-old on an assault charge. Authorities say Michael Monson, of Glenwood, was taken into custody for Domestic Abuse Assault. His cash or surety bond was set at $1,000.