. . . and that's not a good thing.
The party of "smaller government" unless it has anything to do with lady parts under the waist, has done it again.
Slipped into a bill expanding Medicaid, Republicans buried a provision that gives Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, a forced birther, final say over each and every Iowa woman's abortion, if she qualifies for it under Medicaid.
And "shockingly" he signed that bill.
Under current policy, the Department of Human Services already reviews claims for Medicaid funding of abortion services, scrutinizing documentation to ensure the procedure was performed in a case of rape, incest, fetal abnormality or to save the life of the mother — the four reasons for which reimbursement is allowed under state and federal law.
That review occurs after the abortion has been performed, when the billing process is initiated.
- Des Moines Register
Now either an additional layer of scrutiny on top of the review by the Department of Human Services happens or the review is solely that of the governor. Even the Des Moines Register isn't sure.
With the bill’s passage into law, that process likely still will occur. And a final decision will again come after an abortion has been performed. But instead of the final call being rendered by the Medicaid medical director, the democratically elected and politically accountable governor will decide.
- Des Moines Register
Either way the end result is the same, a force birth/pro-misery/anti-choice governor with
. . . no medical training or health care experience or investigative training, he gets to be the person who makes the final call as to whether or not a woman was raped or had a life threatening pregnancy that required an abortion. And considering the fact that Republicans have a problem believing that women get pregnant through rape, it’s extremely likely that Branstad will deny rape victims coverage of their abortions.
- Addicting Info
and you notice the full wash and spin dry the Des Moines Register tried to give this thing
But instead of the final call being rendered by the Medicaid medical director, the democratically elected and politically accountable governor will decide.
Oh that should make Iowa women feel so much better.
If denied coverage for a procedure that has already taken place, the women will be responsible for all costs associated with the abortion. Because, you know, being on Medicaid they can afford it.
That's not really a worry however because to bill a patient if Medicaid rejects the claim a provider must first get the permission from the patient to bill them, if it doesn't go through.
And what patient on Medicaid would want to risk having to cover the cost of her abortion from rape or life is in danger knowing that her governor may well probably deny it.
But wait, if she can't pay it (no word on if the hospital or billing office will go after her for non-payment) the costs, according to state Rep. Matt Windschitl (R), will be passed on to the provider or the hospital because they already eat so much in charity costs.
And while normally that would mean higher health care costs for everyone, don't worry, he asserts, because the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) will take care of it.
Really, that's his reasoning.
So take heart poor Iowa women wanting/needing abortions because of rape, incest, or because your life is in danger, your governor will give your case his personal attention and decide if you are deserving.