Eggs and Issues Comes To A Close

Eggs and Issues for 2019 came to an end on Saturday. (submitted photo)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Just as soon as it began, the 2019 session of Eggs and Issues came to a close on Saturday, as all three of Mahaska County’s legislators took questions from the public. The issue of Medicaid privatization once again provided the most commentary and sparks from members of the public, as well as the legislators present.

Former State Representative Eric Palmer kicked off the discussion on the Medicaid Privatization. Palmer noted that Kevin DeRonde, CEO of Mahaska Health, spoke at the last Eggs and Issues and stated that Mahaska Hearth has found some issues with getting paid from the private MCOs handling the Medicaid Privatization. Palmer also chastised Senator Ken Rozenboom for voting in favor of the privatization, something Rozenboom denied he did.

“You know I didn’t, and I never have. That was an executive decision made by Governor Branstad. The only people who voted for that were Senate Democrats, two to three years ago, whenever it was implemented, because they loved the savings that allowed them to spend the money elsewhere,” Rozenboom said.

Rozenboom also acknowledged that the rollout of the privatization was a “disaster.”

“A lot like Obamacare was and somewhat truncated by Obamacare,” he added.

He added that the legislature is aware there are issues with payment to hospitals and is working with the MCOs to solve the issue.

Palmer also followed up with Rozenboom on the issue of Mahaska Behavioral Health. DeRonde recently announced that Mahaska Behavioral Health will contract out services to an outside agency, and will no longer officially offer Behavioral Health Services. Rozenboom said he is also aware of the closure and that he, and other legislators, have met with DeRonde on the matter.

In response to a question from rural Oskaloosa resident Theresa Grahek, State Representative Holly Brink said that legislation is currently being considered which would allow for the legislature to funnel more money to rural “critical access” hospitals, such as Mahaska Health and Pella Regional Health Center.

“So, we do have things in place that are working on that,” Brink said.

Another issue brought up was the regulation of Mid-American Energy and Solar Panels. A resident present at the session of Eggs and Issues expressed resentment over what he called a bullying campaign for choosing to install solar panels on his farm. Later in the session, Oskaloosa City Councilman Tom Walling encouraged the legislature to keep an eye on Mid-American Energy.

“Mid-American, especially, has always wanted to outstep their bounds with the public and the private sector. So, I’m saying, we need you guys to watch them. They’ve got big pockets and they can pay anything they want to get what they want,” Walling said. “My point is, please watch them. They need watched and they have a heck of a lot of money,” he added.

Eggs and Issues has concluded for the 2019 season. The current session of the Iowa Legislature is expected to continue through at least the end of April.