Iowa Families Face Health Care Cost Hike: Who's to Blame?

In Iowa, a single mother's struggle to afford health care is becoming more difficult. Jenny Turner, a speech language pathologist, is facing a significant increase in her health insurance premiums. Starting in January, her monthly premium will jump from $191 to $342, a 79% increase. This hike is not just a personal issue but a broader problem affecting many families in Iowa. The reason behind this increase is not a mystery. It's due to the inaction of Republican representatives in Congress. They knew about these increases months in advance but chose not to act. Instead, they proposed a bill, H. R. 6703, that does little to address the premium spikes. This bill focuses on pharmacy benefit managers and association health plans, which are not the main issues for families like Turner's.The timing of this inaction is particularly telling. While families are struggling with rising health care costs, Iowa's representatives were on Christmas recess. This contrasts sharply with their swift action earlier in the year to pass tax cuts for the wealthy. It's clear where their priorities lie. However, there's still hope. Before adjourning, four Republicans joined Democrats to sign a discharge petition. This petition forces a vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act funding. Iowa's representatives will have to vote on this in mid-January. The outcome will show whether they truly care about the well-being of families or just pay lip service.