Continue Support of the Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network.
In 2005 the Iowa Legislature recognized the importance of Iowa’s safety net health care providers by creating the Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network. Through this partnership, the state’s community health centers, rural health clinics, and free clinics are working together to identify and address the most prominent challenges to providing quality care to Iowa’s uninsured and underserved.
Since its formation in October 2005, the Network has made considerable progress. Strategies in three initiatives have been developed that will help expand access to care: pharmaceuticals, specialty care and recruitment of health professionals.
We encourage the Legislature to continue its commitment to the
Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network.
Continue Support for the Community Health Center Incubator Program.
During the 2005 session, the Iowa Legislature appropriated $650,000 for the creation of the Community Health Center Incubator Program. This program assists Iowa communities who have applied for federal community health center funding, have scored very high, but have not been funded because of federal budget limitations. Through the Incubator Program these communities are provided with the resources needed to open their doors and begin caring for patients while they continue to apply for federal funding.
In 2006 the Iowa Legislature renewed their commitment to the program by providing level funding at $650,000. Because of this funding Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque was able to begin operation in 2006. When it achieves full operational capacity, Crescent CHC will provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care to more than 4,500 individuals. Without this funding most of these individuals would not have access to affordable primary health care.
Budget challenges at the federal level have severely limited President Bush’s initiative to expand the number of community health centers throughout the country. Because of this, the Incubator Program is needed now more than ever.
Recognizing the tremendous impact this program will have in the Dubuque area – and could have in other areas of the state such as Cedar Rapids and Sioux County - we encourage the Legislature to continue funding this critically important program.
Increase the Tobacco Tax
The Iowa/Nebraska Primary Care Association joins with the other members of the Iowa Health Initiative in supporting an increase of Iowa’s excise tax on cigarettes by $1.00 per pack and increase the tax on other tobacco products by a percent consistent with the increase of the tax on cigarettes. We recommend that a portion of the revenues from this increase be used to support expanded efforts of the Iowa Collaborative Safety Net Provider Network.
