Iowans with Disabilities Push for Legislative Changes to Work Without Worry Bill
In the midst of the bustling Iowa Capitol, a group of impassioned individuals gathered for a news conference to shed light on a pressing issue affecting their daily lives. Zach Mecham, a resident of Pleasantville, took center stage to voice a sentiment shared by many Iowans with disabilities – the current income and asset limits for Medicaid eligibility are stifling their ability to pursue meaningful employment opportunities.
Mecham, speaking from the heart, candidly expressed the difficult choices individuals like him are forced to make. “As a person with disabilities, I have to choose between breathing and getting a full-time job,” he shared. This poignant statement underscored the profound impact that existing policies have on the lives of those striving to contribute to society in a meaningful way.
Joining Mecham in this rallying cry was Alex Watters, a resilient member of the Sioux City city council. Watters, who grapples with a spinal cord injury, recounted the heartbreaking reality of having to curtail his income to maintain Medicaid coverage for essential home assistance services. “We want to work. We are looking to work, and Iowa faces a workforce challenge,” Watters emphasized, urging lawmakers to address this critical issue through legislative action.
The personal stories continued to resonate as Erica Carter, another Sioux City resident, shared her own harrowing experience. Suffering a spinal cord injury in 2010, Carter found herself abruptly removed from the Medicaid program in 2023 when her income as a CPA exceeded the current limits. Forced to navigate the complexities of private insurance and shoulder the financial burden of daily assistance, she shed light on the harsh realities individuals with disabilities face on a daily basis. “One third of my wages goes to just getting in and out of bed,” Carter bemoaned, highlighting the exorbitant costs associated with basic necessities.
Catherine Johnson, the dedicated executive director of Disability Rights Iowa, provided invaluable insight into the broader implications of the Medicaid restrictions. Johnson emphasized that lifting these limitations would enable Iowans with disabilities to access the support necessary for independent living. “This is not a benefit issue. This is an income issue that we are losing because people with disabilities cannot work to the level they want to work,” Johnson poignantly articulated, underscoring the urgent need for policy reform.
Against this backdrop of personal struggles and impassioned pleas, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of the proposed “Work without Worry” program in Iowa Medicaid. Advocates revealed that lawmakers had initiated discussions about this transformative bill last year, and they were now fervently advocating for its swift passage. The proposed legislation aims to eliminate penalties for a working spouse’s income and raise the income and asset limits for Medicaid coverage, offering a lifeline to countless individuals yearning for the opportunity to work without fear.
As the voices of Iowans with disabilities reverberated through the hallowed halls of the Capitol, their collective call for change echoed with undeniable urgency. The time had come for legislators to heed their impassioned plea, to recognize the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, and to pave the way for a future where work is not a distant dream but a tangible reality. The fate of countless lives hung in the balance, awaiting the transformative power of policy to usher in a new era of inclusivity and opportunity.
