DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An official has terminated Iowa’s contract with a private company that was scheduled to help manage the state’s $4.2 billion Medicaid program. Iowa Department of Administrative Services Director Janet Phipps released a report Friday night that terminates the Iowa Department of Human Services’ contract with WellCare of Iowa.

Phipps was selected by Governor Terry Branstad to review an administrative law judge’s recommendation that WellCare be dropped over allegations that it didn’t properly disclose information about fraud or mismanagement during its bid for a contract. WellCare officials have said they disagree with the judge’s ruling.

Phipps’ report upholds the state’s contracts with Amerigroup Iowa, AmeriHealth Caritas Iowa and UnitedHealthcare Plan of the River Valley. A spokesman for Branstad says the governor’s office is still reviewing the decision.

The Red Oak Police Department reports the arrest of a Red Oak man for Theft on Friday.  At 7:31pm Officers arrested 41-year-old Troy Alan Myers for 5th Degree Theft on North Broadway Street in Red Oak.  Myers was taken to the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center and is being held on $300 cash bond.

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS), says the Foundation’s 2016 Annual Campaign is now underway with a goal of raising $54,000 to purchase two critical pieces of patient care equipment. Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director
“Our plan is to purchase a new coagulation analyzer for the Laboratory and a ventilator for Respiratory Therapy. We’re determined to be the best rural hospital in the country, which means we are committed to staying at the cutting edge of technology as medical care advances.”

The coagulation analyzer performs more than 400 PT/INR tests each month, which is a test to measure how quickly your blood clots. This machine is essential for patients who have been on the medication Coumadin or Warfarin, and it’s also used before surgeries to reduce the risk of unexpected bleeding during surgery. The coagulation analyzer can also be used to detect blood clots.

CCHS employees Mitch Whiley, MLS (ASCP) and Chelsea Johnson, MLT are shown working together in the laboratory. The CCHS Foundation 2016 Campaign funds will go towards the purchase of new equipment for the department.

Mitch Whiley, MLS (ASCP), Director of Laboratory Services noted, “This analyzer will bring some exciting new technology previously not available at our facility. We are thankful for the community’s support so that we can continue to provide excellent care for our patients.”

The second piece of equipment that the Foundation is fundraising for is a new ventilator. For critically ill patients, a ventilator can take over the work of breathing. The ventilator that CCHS will purchase is a versatile model that can be used on all patients—from newborns on up—and it can be used for both non-invasive and invasive therapy. It’s also very portable, making it easy to quickly transport to a patient in need.

The CCHS Foundation was established in 1968 to support the hospital’s mission by funding services, programs, and equipment. For more information or to make a donation, contact Dawn Marnin, CCHS Foundation Director, at 712-243-7409, dmarnin@casshealth.org or via the CCHS website, www.casshealth.org.

The Cass County Democratic Party will hold a fundraiser at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic on Saturday, January 2, 2016. Officials say s full luncheon will be provided, starting at 12:30-p.m. The cost of admission is $25 per person, with funds raised to be used by the local party to help cover expenses of the upcoming caucus and election seasons.

Sherry Toelle, Cass County Democratic Chair, is requesting RSVP’s to her by December 28th. “We want to make sure we have enough food and enough seating for everyone but people are still welcome to attend without a reservation, if they are unable to RSVP by the 28th.”

Presidential candidate Governor Martin O’Malley of Maryland will speak during the event at 2-p.m., January 2nd. Invitations have also been sent to the two other Presidential candidates Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders but neither has confirmed as of this date (Dec. 18th). Iowa Senatorial and Congressional candidates as well as local candidates have also been invited to the event.

This is the first event in Cass County at which any of the Democratic Presidential candidates will have attended. Contact Sherry Toelle at 243-4861 with any questions about the event.