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

Jenny Turner, a speech language pathologist and single mother, is grappling with a 79% increase in her health insurance premiums. Starting in January, her monthly payment will jump from $191 to $342, a stark financial burden that reflects a wider crisis in Iowa.

The Root of the Problem

The Republican-controlled Congress has failed to act on rising premiums, despite knowing about the increases for months. Instead, they introduced H.R. 6703, a bill that ignores the core issue—soaring health care costs for families.

The bill focuses on pharmacy benefit managers and association health plans, which are not the primary concerns for families like Turner’s.

A Question of Priorities

While families struggle with rising 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.

A Glimmer of Hope

Before adjourning, four Republicans joined Democrats to sign a discharge petition, forcing a vote on a three-year extension of Affordable Care Act funding. Iowa’s representatives will vote in mid-January, revealing whether they prioritize families or merely pay lip service.