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Iowa Health Insurance
Employer health insurance is the most common type of health insurance in Iowa, covering 59% of the population. Medicaid and Medicare each cover 12% of the population. Nine percent of the people in Iowa are uninsured, lower than the national average of 16%.
The Health Insurance Plan of Iowa (HIPIOWA) offers high risk pool insurance for individuals whose medical conditions prevent them from getting affordable health insurance. There are limits on the insurance premiums that can be charged to people who participate in this program.
Minors, pregnant women, and disabled persons who meet strict income guidelines may qualify for Iowa’s Medicaid program.
Uninsured minors who do not meet the stringent income guidelines for Medicaid may qualify for Iowa’s SCHIP program, Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i).
Health Issues in Iowa
Iowa scores well in the care of nursing home residents. Compared to other states, fewer residents became bedbound or suffered significant weight loss. Iowa also has a relatively low number of deaths to HIV/AIDS and a good record for properly treating pneumonia patients.
An area in Iowa’s healthcare system that has potential for improvement and growth, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is home health care. Compared to other states, fewer home health patients reported improved bladder control, improved mobility, and improved breathing.
The Iowa legislature is currently considering House File 2212 which would ban smoking in restaurants, bars, casinos, and most office environments. According to the Des Moines Register 75% of Iowans support some sort of smoking ban, although there is widespread disagreement as to what exactly that ban should entail. Thus the future of this bill is uncertain.
