Tuesday was the first day of work for the NEW congress and Republican Congressman Steve King quickly filed a bill calling for the immediate repeal of the Affordable Care Act. King says it’s time for “swift action” on “ObamaCare” since Republicans now control both the House and Senate — and a Republican will be sworn as president on January 20th. Mike Tramontina, of Des Moines, has been a licensed navigator for three years — helping Iowans buy insurance through the government’s healthcare-dot-gov website.  “I urge Iowa’s members of congress not to vote to repeal before they at least have an acceptable alternative,” Tramontina says.

Tramontina was among a handful of Iowans who spoke yesterday (Tuesday) at news conference in Des Moines that was organized by a group that supports the health care law. Tramontina suggests King and other “ObamaCare” opponents are misjudging public sentiment.  “Many of the people who raised objections to the Affordable Care Act did so because they wanted more,” Tramontina says. “At least half of the people who don’t like the Affordable Care Act want more of the tax credits, want lower deductibles by law. They want provisions changed, such as the affordability measures.”

Mary Nelle Trefz, of the Iowa Child and Family Policy Center says a recent analysis by a Washington, D.C. think tank suggests 230-thousand Iowans could lose health coverage if the law is repealed.  “That’s more than the population of the city of Des Moines (who) would have coverage and lose it,” she says.

Sixty-three-year-old Claudia Hawkins, a certified credit counselor from West Des Moines, says it is “just irresponsible” to repeal the Affordable Care Act without a plan to replace it.  “Is this where we’ve come as a country, where we’re not concerned about our neighbors?” she asked.

Mike Draper, a small businessman who’s part of the Iowa Main Street Alliance, says it’s “no coincidence” many Republicans are talking about a repeal that wouldn’t take effect until 2019 — because members of congress stand for reelection in 2018.  “They know that if they scuttle the entire thing, that the shock to the system would be so great that people wouldn’t want that either,” Draper says.

Draper says to repeal the law now, “just when it’s beginning to work,” would be a “blow to small businesses.” Senator Chuck Grassley issued a statement late Tuesday, saying “Obamacare over-promised and under-delivered” and is “collapsing.” Grassley indicated he’ll support efforts to limit medical malpractice lawsuits and let people purchase insurance across state lines as ways to reduce costs.

(Radio Iowa)

The Creston Police Department reports a Creston man was arrested Tuesday afternoon at the Union County Law Enforcement Center. 25-year old Nathan Vicker was taken into custody on a Union County warrant for Criminal Mischief in the 4th Degree. Vicker, who was already being held at the jail, remains there on $1,300 bond.

And, a Creston woman was cited Tuesday morning for Allowing an Animal to Run At Large. 32-year old Sara Bagby was released on a Promise to Appear later, in court.

An investigation into a Theft that took place Dec. 10th at the Casey’s Store south in Red Oak, resulted in the arrest Tuesday night of 40-year old Robert Lee Best, of Red Oak. Best was employed at the store when the theft allegedly occurred. He was charged with 5th Degree Theft (the loss amounting to less than $200), and brought to the Montgomery County Jail, where his bond was set at $300.

A man and woman from Montgomery County were arrested Tuesday night for Harboring a 15-year old female runaway, against the will of the juveniles’ parents. Red Oak Police say 45-year old Billy Joe Miflin and 19-year old Dakota Lynn Giroeux, both of Red Oak, were arrested at around 7-p.m. at a residence in the 200 block of E. Joy Street. Miflin and Giroeux were being held in the Montgomery County Jail on $2,000 bond, each.