Governor Terry Branstad says some health care providers are trying to scare the public about the state’s transition to a privately managed Medicaid system. Branstad was asked Monday about the concerns some providers have expressed that they won’t get paid as much under the new system, and some smaller providers might have to go out of business. “Well, that’s just not true. Actually if they become providers under the new system, they’ll get paid at the same level,” Branstad says.

He says the new fees may be based more on outcomes than procedures performed, which could mean lower profits for some providers. “There’s a lot of misinformation being put out by some people who are trying to scare people. You know, I don’t like these scare tactics, I think we need to give people accurate information,” Branstad says. “What we’re doing is what 26 states have already done, including big states like New York and California. Some of the same providers — three of the four we’re looking at — are already providers, providing Medicaid services in the state of New York.”

Branstad says the new system is being phased in. “I understand some providers kind of like the current system, because the more procedures you do, the more you get paid,” according to Branstad. The governor was asked again if some providers might go out of business. “No, no, this is all a scare tactic. Now listen, the providers all they have to do is sign a contract and they will get reimbursed at the same level,” Branstad replied. The privately managed plan is set to go into effect on January 1st.

(Radio Iowa)

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller took part in a news conference in Washington, D.C., Monday, as federal Department of Justice and Education officials announced a $95.5 million dollar “false claims” settlement with a for-profit education company. Education Management Corporation (EDMC), based in Pennsylvania, operates 110 schools in 32 states. Miller said EDMC was accused of deceptive marketing and recruitment practices and making false claims about job placement.

“There are broad prohibitions about unfair, deceptive, and misleading claims made in the recruitment process…and abusive recruitment methods,” Miller said. Brown Mackie College in Bettendorf is among the colleges owned and operated by EDMC. More than 600 former Iowa students will have roughly a half million dollars in loans forgiven under the settlement.

“There are provisions for forgiveness of loans in this agreement with EDMC…$102.8 million in loans owed to EDMC. That’s about 80,000 students and $1,370 on average,” Miller said. EDMC is the second largest for-profit education company in the country. About 90 percent of its revenue comes from taxpayers in the form of federal education funding.

(Radio Iowa)

Out of all the fire departments across the state that took part in this year’s Iowa Healthiest State Initiative Contest just for firefighters, the Creston Fire Department was singled out as the winner. Creston Fire Chief Todd Jackson says it was a pleasant surprise to be recognized — and even better to get the one-thousand dollar check from the state. “What we’re hoping to do with the $1,000 is, we already have $1,000 budgeted for our firefighter physicals and we’re going to add that to it to increase the number of physicals we’ll be able to do,” Chief Jackson says.

Communities, schools, fire departments and other groups organized some 880 Healthiest State Walks this fall with events in all 99 counties statewide. The check was presented to the Creston Fire Department by Iowa Lottery C-E-O Terry Rich, who is also chairman of the Iowa Heathiest State Initiative. “Creston was part of many fire departments and schools across the state that did both a fire drill and a walk, which was so important,” Rich says. “We thought this was a really good opportunity for the fall to emphasize the need for safety between fire drills and this Healthiest State Initiative, so we’re real proud of Creston.”

According to the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, Iowa ranks 16th in the nation when it comes to being physically, emotionally and mentally healthy. Through various programs in the initiative, Iowa is aiming to eventually become number-one.
http://www.iowahealthieststate.com.

(Radio Iowa)

Police in Red Oak arrested a local man for Trespassing this (Tuesday) morning. 23-year old Michael Eugene Sickels, of Red Oak, was arrested at a residence in the 100 block of E. Walnut Street, at around 5:40-a.m. Sickels was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $300 bond.

A man from Adams County was arrested on drug charges early this (Tuesday) morning, in Red Oak. Authorities say 50-year old Douglas Dean Erickson, of Corning, was arrested at around 1:35-a.m. at the intersection of N. 4th and E. Corning Streets. He’s been charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance/Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and OWI/Drugged – 1st Offense. Erickson was being held in the Montgomery County Law Enforcement Center on a $1,000 cash bond.

A search warrant executed Monday evening at a residence in Red Oak resulted in two women from there being taken into custody on drug and other charges. Red Oak Police say they searched a home at 504 Broad Street at around 5:15-p.m. and arrested 21-year old Aniessa Rae Thomas, for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Prescription Pills, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Child Endangerment. 45-year old Jamie Denise Thomas, was arrested at the same location for Possession of a Controlled Substance/Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both women were transported to the Montgomery County Jail, where Aniessa Thomas’ bond was set at $2,000, and Jamie Thomas was being held on a $1,000 cash bond.