As we all work to adjust during this difficult time, Iowans across the state are stepping up to help neighbors in need. Stories of people making homemade face masks for friends, families, neighbors, or donating them to local hospitals are inspiring to all of us. Recently, I joined critical workers at local grocery stores to make meals for first-responders, and I have been thrilled to see local restaurants contribute food to health care providers. Thanks to each of you for your contributions, large, small, and daily that help keep our community strong — this is our fastest way to beat the pandemic, and get our economy working again.
Serving at the Local Level
Each of us has an ability to provide lifesaving assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Iowa Department of Public Health has issued guidance on making homemade masks for health care providers. Volunteer Iowa has a number of opportunities available for those who want to help during the pandemic. The American Red Cross is looking for people to donate blood. The Food Bank of Iowa is currently doing a fundraiser to raise money to meet the immediate need for meals for Iowans right here in our community.
The Department of Human Services has information available on how to apply for food assistance. At the Department of Public Health’s website at idph.iowa.gov/wic you can learn about the WIC program, and the Department on Aging at iowaaging.gov/area-agencies-aging/find-your-local-area-agency-aging is also providing home-delivered or drive-through meals for Iowans over the age of 60. Food banks all across Iowa are working hard to provide meals for families in need.
Expanded Coverage for Essential Diagnostic Services
With the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the State of Iowa is working with the US Departments of Labor and the Treasury, to ensure Americans with private health insurance have coverage of COVID-19 diagnostic testing and certain other related services, including antibody testing, at no cost. This includes urgent care visits, emergency room visits, and in-person or telehealth visits to the doctor’s office that result in an order for or administration of a COVID-19 test. Iowans with tax payer provided health insurance are already fully covered. As part of the effort to slow the spread of the virus, these efforts help remove financial barriers for Americans and ensure members of our community receive necessary COVID-19 tests and health services, as well as encourage the use of antibody testing that may help to enable health care workers and other Americans to get back to work more quickly.
Supporting Mental
Health Resources
Access to mental health assistance during COVID-19 requires state and health providers to find innovative ways to best serve patients in need, particularly through expanding telehealth services, Iowa is also leading efforts to combat drug abuse and the opioid crisis.
Telehealth
Iowa, working with the Federal Government has taken historic steps to expand Americans’ access to telehealth, so that patients, particularly our Medicare beneficiaries, can receive a wider range of services without having to travel to a healthcare facility. Iowa has worked to deliver and reimburse Medicaid covered services through telehealth platforms. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued guidance on telehealth reimbursement and coverage options in the Medicaid program to aid our communities’.
Supplemental Grant Funding
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, in coordination with the State of Iowa, announced it will fund $110 million in emergency grants to provide treatment for substance use disorders and serious mental illness during the coronavirus pandemic. The agency has announced it is accepting applications and will provide up to $2 million for successful applicants for 16 months.
Protecting Iowa’s Agriculture Workforce and Securing America’s Food Supply
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, has made changes to H-2A requirements to help Iowa’s farmers avoid disruptions in lawful agricultural-related employment, protect the nation’s food supply chain, and lessen impacts from the COVID-19 emergency. These temporary flexibilities will not weaken or eliminate protections for U.S. workers.
This effort ensures legal workers and employers are protected and maintains Iowa’s critical role in maintaining food security for hundreds of millions of Americans. At no point is it acceptable for employers to hire illegal labor.
A number of constituents have contacted me expressing their desire to reopen the economy. I think all Iowans are looking forward to the time when we return to work, school and social functions. I am optimistic we can proceed through this pandemic and reopen the economy in a balanced and responsible way in coordination with data-driven health care decisions. Thank you for all you have done to help our communities and our fellow Iowans.