(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa House has unanimously voted to set new rules to prevent prescription drug switches that aren’t done for medical reasons. This would NOT apply to substituting a less expensive generic drug for a brand name medication with the same active ingredients. Representative Gary Mohr, of Bettendorf, says it’s about insurance plans denying coverage or requiring a higher co-payment in the middle of a health plan’s year.  “Increasing the cost of the drug on the covered person when the individual is stable on the drug and their health care provider continues to prescribe that same drug,” he says.

Mohr says insurers and patient advocates have been working on the legislation for the past six years, and came up with a compromise. Representative Megan Srinivas, of Des
Moines, says the bill would protect patients.  “As a physician I see the implications of having medical switches that are not necessary or even good for my patients every single day,” Srinivas says. “This bill fixes that.”

As other states have debated similar moves, insurance companies have argued the switches let them offer patients alternatives when pharmaceutical companies raise the price of a drug in the middle of an insurance plan’s year. Medicare, the government health plan for seniors, prohibits midyear changes unless the federal agency that oversees the program authorizes it.

(Creston, Iowa) –  A woman from Story County was arrested at around 3:10-a.m. today (Friday), in Creston. According to Creston Police, 20-year-old Addisyn Julie Vorm, of Nevada (Iowa), was arrested at a residence in the 300 block of N. Spruce Street.  She was charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Vorm was cited and released on a Promise to Appear.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – A little less than a year after he took over the lead role as Atlantic Middle School Principal, Scot Aden is leaving for a district closer to where his roots are. He’s leaving the District for a position as Principal in the Carroll School District.

Aden grew up in the Lidderdale area, and accepted the position to be closer to family. Aden came to Atlantic after leaving his position with the Cherokee Community School District. He took over as AMS Principal on July 1, 2022, and succeeded former Middle School Principal Josh Rasmussen, who accepted the job of shared Superintendent for the Adair-Casey-Guthrie Center School Districts.

Mr. Scot Aden

The Atlantic School Board will act on accepting Aden’s resignation during their meeting March 29th.

(Radio Iowa) – Saint Patrick’s Day is next Friday and next week is traditionally one of the deadliest weeks of the year for motorists and pedestrians in Iowa and nationwide. Sheri Krohn, program administrator of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau, says they’re partnering with local law enforcement to launch a nine-day effort this weekend, spreading the message about the dangers of drinking and driving — and to take impaired drivers off the road. “There’s a lot of celebrations surrounding this holiday which means an increase in alcohol consumption and an increase in pedestrian traffic, and it can also be a nighttime event,” Krohn says. “This year, the holiday is on a Friday which will again increase the amount of activities and pedestrians in the area.”

The program starts this Saturday and runs through next Sunday, March 19th. Krohn says if you’re at a St. Pat’s party on foot, you’ll need to be especially cautious. “Pedestrians can limit their number of drinks, stay alert while they’re walking, stay off of their phones, use crosswalks,” Krohn says, “and most importantly, make sure that you make eye contact with the driver before crossing the street.” During the week of St. Patrick’s Day last year, 48 people were either seriously injured or killed in car crashes on Iowa’s roads. “Drivers should also stay alert, slow down, stay off their electronics,” she says. “Everyone needs to play a part to stay safe.”

If you’re going to drink, Krohn says to make the smart choice and plan for a sober ride. If you’re the designated driver, she says to make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.