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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2010
IOWA 5TH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE MIKE DENKLAU CONGRATULATES CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT ON THE PASSAGE OF HEALTH REFORM
Council Bluffs, IA – March 28, 2010 – Mike Denklau, who is running to unseat Republican Representative Steve King in Iowa’s 5th Congressional District, congratulates Congress and the President on their passage of health reform.
“While no law is perfect, this legislation is a great first step towards improving our health care system and will provide cost reductions for thousands of western Iowans who are in need of quality health care coverage,” said Denklau. “I applaud Congress for courageously taking action on behalf of the more than 80,000 western Iowans who have struggled for years with no health insurance.”
Specific benefits from health reform legislation for the 5th District include:
• Guaranteeing coverage for 7,000 residents who have pre-existing conditions
• Providing new funding for 20 community health centers across western Iowa
• Improving Medicare reimbursements to medical providers across western Iowa
• Reducing costs of uncompensated care for health care providers by $111 million annually
• Helping small businesses obtain affordable health insurance
• Improving Medicare for 109,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole
Importantly, the legislation preserves the right of Iowans to choose their own private insurance provider and plan, protects families from going bankrupt due to high health care costs and focuses health care on preventative measures. The legislation also ensures Iowans will not lose their coverage if they become ill.
Economically, health reform is a win for western Iowa. Small businesses here will benefit from tax breaks and have the freedom to join a health insurance exchange, which will provide them with reduced group rates and a greater choice of insurers. Cost savings and the freedom to provide benefits to employees will promote quality job creation in western Iowa.
Said Denklau: “Taken with his vote to cut Medicare funding and his votes against funding for children’s health insurance and rural hospitals, Steve King’s opposition to health reform legislation demonstrates how out of touch he is after living in Washington for seven years.”
“Unlike Congressman King, I do not believe we should stand by while our small businesses struggle with 80% annual premium hikes and 700 western Iowa families are forced into bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs. I strongly support reducing the economic waste, uncertainty and hardships that our current broken health care system poses to working families, farmers, and small businesses. The bottom line is that this legislation will provide more security and stability to western Iowans who currently have health insurance, and will provide better choices to those who don’t. I look forward to a vigorous debate with Steve King this fall and if elected, I will work to implement sound reforms no matter which end of the political spectrum they come from” said Denklau.
For more information, please visit Mike Denklau’s website at www.denklauforcongress.com or call (712) 256-0742.
Contact
Justin Petersen
Denklau for Congress
(712) 256-0742
justin.petersen@denklauforcongress.com
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