Latest news with #Iowans
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa democrats urge against the Big Beautiful Bill
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Iowa democrats are calling on republicans in Washington to vote against the Big Beautiful Bill, saying it would be devastating to Iowans on Medicaid. More than 700 thousand Iowans receive Medicaid; nearly half are children. Advocates say many hospitals, particularly in rural Iowa, could also be forced to close labor and delivery services, sending soon-to-be moms hundreds of miles for care. Story continues below Top Story: UnityPoint Health to acquire MercyOne Siouxland Lights & Sirens: Sioux City Police Department: Deadly March stabbing justified Sports: Local Iowa high school boys soccer playoff highlights and scores (5-29-25) Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here They also say hospitals will have to start picking and choosing what services they want to offer. According to the Congressional Budget Office, nearly 94 thousand Iowans would lose health insurance if the bill passes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Counselor sanctioned after refusing intoxication test at child advocacy center
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers the state's Board of Nursing and Board of Behavioral Health Professionals as well as other licensing boards. (Main photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) A Quad-City social worker who was fired after refusing to be tested for intoxication at work has been sanctioned by state regulators. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals recently charged social worker Jaime L. Roggenbauer of Bettendorf with knowingly making misleading or untrue statements in the practice of social work, or engaging in unethical conduct harmful to the public, by attempting to practice social work while intoxicated. The board also accused her of interfering with her previous employer's information technology systems. According to the board, Roggenbauer had provided counseling services at a children's advocacy center located in Rock Island, Illinois, since January 2022. She was fired on March 19, 2024, the day her co-workers reported that she appeared chatty, animated and unsteady — a departure from her typical demeanor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The board alleges that Roggenbauer was fired after she refused a chemical test for intoxication. According to the board, she then changed the password to the center's therapy documentation system, which locked other part-time providers out of the center's database. Roggenbauer denied the allegations, but to resolve the case she recently agreed to a settlement that entails her license being placed on probation for two years, during which time she will work with a practice monitor. Court records show that in 2022, Roggenbauer was convicted of first-offense drunken driving. Other Iowans recently sanctioned by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals include: — Kelly Sachau of Sioux City, who is alleged to have maintained a relationship with a patient from April 2021 to the present. According to the board, the patient received therapy services from Sachau while the two maintained a personal relationship. In October 2022, Sachau ended her relationship with the practice group where she worked and took the patient's therapy records and notes with her to her new practice without the patient's written consent. She was charged with failing to comply with ethics guidelines related to patient boundaries and records. Sachau denied having a dual relationship with the patient and denied improper handling of client records and information. To settle the case, she agreed to pay a $750 civil penalty and have her license placed on probation for two years during which time she will work with a practice monitor and complete training on ethics, clinical documentation and professional boundaries. — Trisha Tonelli of Des Moines, who allegedly disclosed confidential information related to the care of a client. She was charged with failing to comply with ethics guidelines on confidentiality, and was issued a warning that similar conduct in the future could result in further disciplinary action. As part of her settlement agreement with the board, Tonelli agreed to complete six hours of ethics training. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Republican Sen. Joni Ernst defends proposed Medicaid cuts: 'We all are going to die'
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, was repeatedly pressed on cuts to Medicaid in the House's budget bill at a town hall in her home state on Friday, and pushed back on an attendee who said the cuts would lead to deaths. "People are not — well, we all are going to die, so, for heaven's sakes," she said, prompting resounding jeers. The exchange began with an attendee complaining to Ernst that the bill would give significant tax breaks to the ultrawealthy while kicking some people off Medicaid and food assistance programs. Ernst said the only people who face getting booted are those who should not be on Medicaid in the first place. 'They're not currently eligible by the original definition of Medicaid, and they will be moved off of those Medicaid rolls, again still allowing those that are truly eligible for Medicaid to remain on those rolls," the senator said. She later claimed that 1.4 million undocumented immigrants are receiving Medicaid benefits. That figure, which the White House and other top Republicans have also cited, is based on a Congressional Budget Office analysis that said that one provision of the bill would cause 1.4 million people to lose coverage (including but not limited to those without verified immigration status). "They are not eligible, so they will be coming off," Ernst said, which is when she was interrupted by the attendee who yelled, "People are going to die!" After Ernst gave her fatalistic response, she complained to the attendee, "What you don't want to do is listen to me when I say that we are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable." Democrats pounced on Ernst's "going to die" line, with Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin saying she "said the quiet part out loud." Martin said the remark shows Republicans don't care about "whether their own constituents live or die as long as the richest few get richer, and that's precisely why they're ramming through a budget bill that would rip away health care and food from millions of Americans, including kids and seniors." An Ernst spokesperson said, 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.' Ernst also got into testy exchanges about DOGE cuts and her support for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at the Butler County town hall, but was asked repeatedly about the proposed Medicaid changes. "Everyone says that Medicaid is being cut. People are going to see their benefits cut. That's not true," she said earlier in the town hall, to shouts from the crowd. Ernst predicted the changes would strengthen Medicaid in the long run. "What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits. So, what we're trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program," she said. "We will do much better." This article was originally published on
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
GOP Senator Ignores Insane Town Hall Gaffe — And Social Media Goes Off
Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) made an unforced political error during a town hall Friday morning when she reminded constituents worried about Medicaid cuts that 'we are all going to die.' But when she tried to put a positive spin on the event after it concluded, social media wouldn't let her ignore her controversial comments. During the meeting in Parkersburg, Iowa, Ernst faced questions from voters concerned about proposed cuts to Medicaid and food stamp benefits. 'We are going to focus on those that are most vulnerable,' Ernst tried to assure the crowd, ABC Iowa City affiliate KCRG TV reported. 'We will protect them. OK? Medicaid is extremely important here in the state of Iowa. ... Leave those dollars for those that are eligible for Medicaid.' Ernst then claimed the efforts to roll back Medicaid benefits would only affect people who aren't eligible for them, which led one woman in the crowd to yell, 'People will die.' The senator had a callous response. 'People are not ― well, we all are going to die. So, for heaven's sakes, folks,' she said while the audience jeered. Yes, there's video. Thank you for asking. Indeed, all living forms on this planet will eventually cease to exist, but bringing up this truth sarcastically during a town hall meeting of concerned voters was probably not the wisest move. Still, Ernst posted a 'rah rah' message about the town hall afterward, thanking constituents for listening to her 'sharing my work to cut government red tape for you.' Many people on X didn't appreciate Ernst's attempt to sweep her deadly serious comment under the rug ― and, much like the crowd in Iowa, they went off. HuffPost reached out to Ernst's office for comment on the reaction to her quote. And a spokesperson responded... with a statement that actually doubled down on the inevitability of death. 'While Democrats fearmonger against strengthening the integrity of Medicaid, Senator Ernst is focused on improving the lives of all Iowans. There's only two certainties in life: death and taxes, and she's working to ease the burden of both by fighting to keep more of Iowans' hard-earned tax dollars in their own pockets and ensuring their benefits are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.' GOP Senator Pooh-Poohs Fears On Medicaid Cuts: 'Well, We All Are Going To Die' Wage Theft Is A Huge Problem. Trump Is Going To Make It Worse. GOP Senator Blocks Bill That Would Codify Right To Birth Control 'Daily Show' Montage Mocks GOP Sen. Joni Ernst As 'Queen Of Prop Comedy'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Landowners urge Reynolds to pass bill limiting eminent domain for CO2 pipelines
Opponents to carbon sequestration pipelines gathered outside of the Iowa Capitol Oct. 8, 2024. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Gov. Kim Reynolds has just two weeks to either sign or veto a controversial bill that would impact carbon dioxide pipelines in Iowa. On a Friday press call, landowners urged Reynolds to uphold Iowa and GOP values around property rights by signing the bill into law. House File 639 advanced from the Senate May 13, following four years of effort from a group of landowners and House lawmakers. The bill would do a number of things including require carbon sequestration projects prove they are a common carrier, in order to use eminent domain. The legislation, and landowner support, comes largely in response to a proposed carbon sequestration pipeline project, the Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline, that would connect to nearly 60 ethanol plants and pipe the sequestered carbon dioxide through Iowa and surrounding states to underground storage in North Dakota. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Those opposed to the project say a private company should not be given the right to condemn agricultural land. South Dakotans recently codified that opinion with a law that specifically bans CO2 pipelines from the right of eminent domain, which has caused Summit to reevaluate its path through the state. Marty Maher, an affected landowner from Montgomery County, urged Reynolds to uphold the Iowa Republican platform, which opposes the use of eminent domain by the use of a private party or for-profit entity. 'Do party platforms mean anything to the elected Republican officials, or are platforms just feel-good projects for the party faithful?' Maher asked. Maher said the bill 'levels the playing field' between landowners, neighbors and the utilities commission. 'I am sure that you want to be remembered as the governor that supported common sense property rights in Iowa and leveled the playing field for all residents in the state for many years to come,' Maher said, addressing his comments to the governor. Mary Powell, a Shelby County landowner, shared a similar sentiment and recalled times the governor quoted Iowa's motto, 'Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.' 'Like many Iowans, I appreciate Gov. Reynolds stating the Iowa motto is a belief and not empty words, but Iowans need action,' Powell said. 'We need Gov. Reynolds to sign 639 into law.' Reynolds said last week on Iowa Press she was meeting with stakeholders on both sides to determine her stance on the bill. Another Shelby County landowner, Cindy Hansen, said on the Friday call that she and other landowners met with the governor and her advisory team Thursday evening to share their point of view. Hansen said the governor did not ask any questions or give an indication as to how she would act, but did listen to the landowners' perspective. The bill would also increase the insurance requirements for CO2 pipeline operators to cover any accidental or intentional discharges and any insurance rate increases landowners face because of the pipeline. The bill additionally requires Iowa Utilities Commissioners to be present at all hearings and expands the scope of who may intervene in IUC proceedings. Meghan Sloma, said on Friday's call that as a neighbor to the pipeline, she was not allowed to testify in the IUC hearings because it didn't go through her property, even though she would be 'very much affected' by the pipeline. 'I think that's very important, that the right that I have for my voice to be heard regarding what happens to my land, that it be protected,' Sloma said. 'To me, it is just basic fairness and equality.' Sloma said while the pipeline project brought up the need for this legislation, the bill is not 'anti pipeline' or 'anti progress.' Opponents of the bill include farming organizations like Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, who argue the legislation would stop Iowa from entering the ultra-low carbon ethanol market. This loss of market, they argue, would in turn hurt Iowa farmers and the state's economy. IRFA also argued in a press conference last week, that the bill has a slew of 'unintended negative consequences.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
