DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A state lawmaker is questioning whether a children's health insurance program should be included in a plan to privatize Medicaid in Iowa.
Sen. Janet Petersen, a Democrat from Des Moines, is raising her concerns regarding the hawk-i program in a letter to Gov. Terry Branstad. In the letter sent Wednesday, Petersen says the transition will cause "disruption and turmoil" for families.
Petersen also questions whether management of the program — which provides insurance to over 36,000 children — can be changed without consulting the hawk-i Board.
Iowa is shifting Medicaid to private management, with plans for the change to take effect on Jan. 1.
Branstad spokesman Ben Hammes says the governor believes the Department of Human Services has acted "legally and with the best interest of Medicaid patients in mind."
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.