Last Friday, one person - the Governor - vetoed 18 bills passed by the Legislature.  I don’t know if that is a record, but even an attempt at a record is the type of activity we should all be concerned about.

It is particularly disappointing because he vetoed all the major health care reform measures.  He even vetoed the ones that passed unanimously through the house; such as long term care reform, a prescription drug hot-line and permitting pilot projects for dementia sufferers.

Each one of those health care reforms passed with all House Republican and Democratic members supporting them.  The long term care reform was essential for the state to get better control of Medicaid and to best assist the transitions of aging.  We would have joined four other states currently allowed to do so.  The Governor vetoed it.  We had a bill set up a task force to study and make Iowa’s long term care system the best possible.  The Governor vetoed it.  And we thought we’d create a telephone hot-line that Iowans could call to see if they were getting the best price for their prescription drugs.  Many people don’t know that drug manufacturers have price discount programs with varying qualifying requirements.  Unfortunately each manufacturer is different.   And with the federal government offering prescription drug cards, it will be even more confusing.  We know that some of these programs can save $100 per month for some drugs and we thought a one source phone number would be a valuable service to Iowans.  Unfortunately, he vetoed that bill.

He also rejected a provision in a bill that I think is universally considered good public policy.  There was a bill that would have required divorcing people with children to plan how they were going to raise their children after divorce.  The document is called a parenting plan, it is required in numerous states, and it is often used in Iowa by mediators.  It was non-controversial when it went through the House.  Unfortunately, the Governor concluded that it “could” cause conflicts and “could” hurt reconciliation.  I don’t know of any other state or person who thinks that discussing child care in divorce is bad.

Many of the vetoed bills were bills that people called me about.  Many of the vetoed bills were clearly the wish of the Iowa Legislature.  But the Governor vetoed them.

Fortunately a veto is only a temporary setback.  I am convinced the Legislature will return to many of these non-controversial measures.  We will continue to try and improve our health care system, our education system, the environment and many other issues that Iowans want addressed.  And we will continue to give the Governor the opportunity to join us in the solutions. 

If you would like to reach me during the next few months, my email is trsands@louisacomm.net and my telephone is (319) 728- 8716.

Until next time,
Tom Sands