Des Moines, Iowa — Republicans in the legislature have settled on a more than $2 billion Health and Human Services budget that boosts state funding for nursing homes, mental health care and treatment for substance abuse.
Senator Mark Costello, a Republican from Imogene, says the plan has the backing of the agency and House Republicans.
Senate Republicans approved the bill Thursday. Democrats voted against it, arguing the state should provide a pay boost to those who provide in-home care for disabled Iowans and spend more on the state’s child care assistance program. Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says the budget fails the working poor.
Senator Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the budget plan fails to address Iowa’s high maternal death rate. She says the state should extend post-pregnancy care for women enrolled in Medicaid.
Costello, the bill’s floor manager in the Senate, says the spending plan is sustainable.
Republicans in the House and Senate have agreed on an overall plan for the next state budgeting year that spends about 89 percent of projected state tax revenue.
