Des Moines, Iowa (Radio Iowa) — Republicans and many Democrats in the legislature have voted for a bill they say will help Iowans who buy individual insurance policies get cheaper options. One part of the bill would let the Iowa Farm Bureau sell “health benefit plans” from Wellmark. The other part gives small businesses more latitude to form “associations” to buy group insurance. The plans would NOT be subject to Affordable Care Act regulations.
That’s Representative Dawn Pettengill, a Republican from Mount Auburn. Republican Senator Dan Zumbach of Ryan says “ObamaCare” regulations have made insurance policies too expensive for many Iowans who don’t qualify for federal subsidies.
Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen of Des Moines says the plans are not insurance.
Representative Marti Anderson, a Democrat from Des Moines, was a “no” vote, too.
Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, opposed the bill because it does not require tracking what kind of coverage is offered and how many Iowans choose these options.
Representative Chip Baltimore, a Republican from Boone, says the bill is necessary BECAUSE OF Affordable Care Act regulations.
The SENATE gave the bill final legislative approval on Tuesday with a 37 to 11 vote.
