Gov. Terry Branstad says he wants to save the state from having to pay for any Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, yet he’s willing to spend more than $40,000 to pay a consulting firm to help figure out how to reform the alternative Medicaid program (formerly known as IowaCare). If he does this, Iowa will spend about $23 million and cover fewer people than the simple Medicaid expansion being offered under the Affordable Care Act.

Governor, if you want Iowa to be the healthiest state in the country, Iowans need to have access to affordable health care.

As a nurse, I’ve seen first hand how people delay seeking treatment because they can’t afford it. Branstad needs to follow other Republican governors who’ve set aside political differences in order to keep their citizens healthy.

Cathy Glasson

Coralville