Des Moines, Iowa — A bill to require more screening for Iowans receiving government food and health care assistance is headed to the governor for her signature.
A household with more than 15 thousand dollars worth of assets that could be quickly sold or turned into cash would be ineligible for food stamps. Iowans receiving food stamps and those enrolled in Medicaid would have to more frequently show their income is low enough to qualify for the programs. Representative Joel Fry, a Republican from Osceola, says the bill strikes a balance for taxpayers and those who are eligible for benefits.
Democrats cite a non-partisan report suggesting errors will deny government assistance to Iowa adults and kids who are eligible. Representative Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, a Democrat from Ames, says the fraud rate for food stamps is virtually non-existent.
Representative Josh Turek. a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says including vehicles in an asset test makes no sense, since Iowans, particularly those who live in rural areas, need reliable vehicles to get to work, school, or the doctor.
Fry is the Republican who guided the bill through nearly four hours of debate.
The Senate approved the bill three weeks ago on a party-line vote. It passed the House last (Thursday) night with the support of 58 Republicans. Five other Republicans and all 36 Democrats in the House voted no.
