According to a state representative, income rules for Medicaid recipients in Iowa are preventing permanently disabled adults who are capable and willing to work from doing so. The situation is keeping these individuals in poverty, as they are unable to earn more without losing their Medicaid benefits. This creates a difficult situation for these individuals who are eager to work and contribute to society but are unable to due to the limitations imposed by the state’s Medicaid program.
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- A bill proposed during the legislative session earlier this year by Rep. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs would have allowed disabled neighbors on Medicaid to work more hours while keeping their health insurance.
- The bill had bipartisan support in committee during the Legislative session this year, but never made it to the floor for a vote.
- “It’s unfortunate that now, I have to tell disabled people in the state, ‘Move to Minnesota. You won’t be limited.’ It shouldn’t be that way,” said Iowa Rep. Josh Turek.
- “It costs more to keep people like Carly below the poverty level than it does to just let her work,” said Megan Sorensen, whose daughter Carly has Spina Bifida and can only work part-time.
Aspirations and dreams are what keep us going. However, it’s disheartening when we have to choose between working to make a living and getting the healthcare we need to stay alive. Hi, I’m Katrina Markel, your local reporter in Council Bluffs, southwest Iowa.
I’ve been sharing a series of stories about Iowans with disabilities and the significant gaps in meeting their needs.
Iowa Representative Josh Turek expressed his disappointment, saying, “It’s regrettable that I have to advise individuals with disabilities to relocate to Minnesota just to avoid restrictions. This should not be the case.”
Turek proposed a bill in the current legislative season aimed at increasing the income and asset limits for permanently disabled adults in Iowa. This would enable them to work more while retaining their Medicaid coverage. Although the bill received support from both sides of the aisle, it unfortunately did not make it to the voting stage.
“He said that in the end, they can stop relying on SNAP benefits and rent assistance.”
Megan Sorensen pointed out that keeping individuals like Carly below the poverty line incurs greater costs than allowing them to work.
During my conversation, I had the pleasure of meeting Carly Sorenson and her mother, Megan. Carly, who is currently 21 years old, was born with Spina Bifida, which has limited her ability to work full-time as an early childhood educator. To maintain her Medicaid benefits, Carly can only work part-time. Unfortunately, private health insurance does not fully cover her medical needs.
Turek pointed out that the policies were not designed to cater to the needs of permanently disabled individuals. “I believe that these policies were formed without considering the challenges that the disabled community faces,” he said.
According to Turek, who is wheelchair-bound, the laws were put in place to discourage fraudulent behavior. However, the actual outcome has been quite different.
Currently, in Iowa, Medicaid restricts a solitary disabled adult to approximately $30,000 annually and $12,000 in assets. As a result, owning a home or even a wheelchair-accessible van is not an option for them.
“I would feel more independent if I didn’t have to live at my parents’ house,” said the speaker.
Owen Hansen, a 20-year-old student, is excited about joining Iowa Western’s drone program in the upcoming fall semester.
He expressed his enthusiasm for the social aspect of the event, saying, “I’m just excited more for the social aspect.”
Despite being a quadriplegic, there are still many things he is capable of. However, he holds the hope of having his own home and family one day, but he will require the care and support that only Medicaid can offer.
He expressed his desire to become an engaged participant of the community. “I love Council Bluffs,” he added.
Turek has plans to reintroduce his bill in the legislature next year if he gets re-elected.
