Iowa Democrats staged a statehouse news conference, Wednesday, to celebrate the sixth anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, which some call “ObamaCare.” Lisa Vetter, of Red Oak, has private insurance through the government exchange that was set up by the law.  “And I don’t call the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act ObamaCare,” Vetter says. “And the reason why I don’t is because I like the fact that the first two words are patient protection.”

Vetter is a cancer survivor who saw her previous insurance policy cancelled at the end of 2013. “And the only reason why I was able to purchase insurance was because of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,” Vetter says. Officials say the law has protected more than one-point-three million Iowans like Vetter from coverage denials due to a pre-existing condition. Iowa Democratic Party chair Andy McGuire, is also a medical doctor. She says getting more Iowans insured means they can avoid the emergency room and, instead, get regular care.

“As a doctor, you see nothing more important than preventive care,” McGuire says. “…If we keep someone healthy, if we catch illness early before it becomes worse or more expensive, that’s really what preventive care does.” The Kaiser Family Foundation has been tracking public opinion of “ObamaCare” and polling earlier this month found 47 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of the law.

Democrats argue the law hasn’t grown more popular because Americans continue to see increases in their health insurance premiums. The Iowa Democratic Party’s chair says since the law passed, premium costs have risen at the slowest rate in 50 years, plus 20 million uninsured Americans have obtained health insurance coverage.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Cass County Health System (CCHS) say the March 29^th session on “Building Strength” is full, but the Women’s Health Services committee at CCHS has added another session, which takes place Tuesday, April 5^th, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Cass County Memorial Hospital (CCMH).  Laura Hickman, DPT, ATC, and Erin Johnson, PTA, will present at the free seminar for women.

Hickman says “Resistance training is really important for women because it can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Whether it’s using resistance bands, free weights, or your own body weight—these exercises can also help women burn more calories and achieve a more toned look.”

Erin Johnson (at left). Laura Hickman (on the right).

The class will be held in CCMH Conference Room 2. The first portion of the class will cover the basics of resistance training—the why and how behind it—and the second portion will be an active session for the participants. Attendees are encouraged to dress comfortably. Laura Hickman says “We’ll be up demonstrating these exercises, but all of our attendees will be actively trying them, too,” said Laura. “We’ll also send everyone home with a resistance band so they can continue these exercises on their own.”

The event is free, but because space is limited, reservations are required and can be made by calling 712-243-7479. Attendees are asked to park in Parking Lot C and enter through Rehabilitation Services. Any questions about the event can be directed to CCHS Public Relations Department at 712-243-7405.

The final Cass County legislative coffee for the current legislative session will be held 10-a.m. Saturday, April 2nd, at the Lewis Community Library (506 West Main Street), in Lewis. The events are organized by P.R.I.D.E., the Progressive Rural Iowa Development Enterprise.

The economic development organization works on behalf of communities, businesses, and citizens for Southwest Iowa development. For additional information, contact Clarke Gerlock, vice-president, at 712-774-5476, or Kenner Baxter, president, at 781-2395.

Rep. Tom Moore and Sen. Tom Shipley meet with constituents at the March Legislative Coffee, in Marne.

Heavy snow overnight in northwest Iowa has made travel conditions difficult and will continue through the morning commute. Travel is not advised on many roadways around and to the north and east of Sioux City, including Interstate 29 north of the city. Some areas are impassible due to disabled vehicles.

Motorists are urged to evaluate the need to travel in extreme conditions. If you must travel, be sure to monitor road conditions and Iowa DOT snow plow locations by using the winter driving resources listed under the travel section of the Iowa DOT website, www.iowadot.gov.

If you must travel to a bordering state you are reminded to check their traveler resources as well. A link to these pages is available at 511ia.org.

CHARTER OAK, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a western Iowa high school student was sent home with his parents after he allegedly threatened his school principal. The incident occurred Wednesday morning at Charter Oak-Ute High School in Charter Oak. Principal Adam Eggeling says no one was hurt and that classes were held without interruption. Eggeling says the student allegedly threatened to shoot him.

Parents were sent a message that the school was in lockdown, but Eggeling says he regretted using that description because the issue had been resolved before the message was sent. He says the student won’t be allowed on campus today (Thursday).

Two firefighters were treated for smoke inhalation after fighting a house fire in Council Bluffs, Wednesday afternoon. The Omaha World-Herald reports five pets – three dogs and two cats – died in the blaze, but none of the residents at 2003 5th Avenue, were injured.

The fire was reported just before 3-p.m. Officials say conditions at the scene worsened after they entered the building, and two firefighters were taken to an area hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation. The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Lawmakers in the Iowa Legislature have approved legislation that would increase K-12 education spending for the upcoming fiscal year. The Democratic-controlled Senate and the Republican-majority House both voted Wednesday in support of the legislation, which would increase basic aid for K-12 schools by 2.25 percent for the next academic year.

NORWALK, Iowa (AP) — Norwalk police say they have captured an escaped kangaroo. Police received a call Tuesday night reporting that a kangaroo was wandering around Norwalk. Police quickly captured the animal and transferred it to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Police say the 3-foot-tall animal is owned by a man in Norwalk who had intended to keep the animal as a pet while living in a rural area.

POMEROY, Iowa (AP) — A court says Iowa authorities had no duty to protect residents of a nursing home from a sexual predator who assaulted a 95-year-old woman after being placed there by court order. The Iowa Court of Appeals says the state had no duty to supervise William Cubbage once he was discharged from its treatment program for dangerous sex offenders in 2010.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An appeals court says Iowa State University can get out of paying some legal fees to a whistleblower who was viciously mistreated by his superiors. The Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 on Wednesday that a judge erred in awarding $368,000 in legal fees to Dennis Smith, sending the case back for a lower award. Smith was awarded $500,000 for emotional distress and $150,000 for reputational harm he suffered after reporting financial misconduct by his boss. The majority says Smith can recover attorneys’ fees only for the whistleblower claim, and the judge should have cut the fee award since that claim was only partially successful.