By skyforbes 
By Hillary Clinton
Affordable health care is a basic human right and Medicaid is integral to ensuring that right is enjoyed by everyone — including low-income and disabled members of our community who need care. Protecting and expanding Medicaid in states will mean healthier communities, and lower costs in the long run.
Unfortunately in Iowa, the Republican administration has recently signed contracts with private companies that put that promise and care for more than 500,000 Iowans in jeopardy. Like many Republicans, Governor Branstad has claimed that by privatizing Medicaid, they can find savings in the budget. But when asked to show proof, they’ve offered nothing to support their claims.
I’m very wary of proposals like this because when Republicans say “privatize services,” too often they mean cut services. At the federal level, Republicans put forward budgets year after year that would block grant the program and cut Medicaid by up to a third, putting millions of beneficiaries at risk. In particular, in Iowa, I believe advocates have raised some legitimate concerns about the companies that were awarded contracts that have faced accusations of mismanagement.
Medicaid is essential for nearly one in five Iowans. We should focus on strengthening programs like Medicaid and Medicare, rather than putting benefits at risk. And we should ensure that any company involved in administering the program goes through a thorough process of due diligence.
Instead of unilaterally turning Medicaid benefits over to private companies without demonstrating an effective plan to deliver savings and quality to Iowans, Governor Branstad should come to realize that the Affordable Care Act is working and partner with Democrats to build on this effort. As President, I’ll defend the Affordable Care Act and fight to ensure that the savings from these reforms benefits families — not just insurance companies, drug companies, and large corporations. I’ve fought to expand access to quality, affordable health care for decades — and I am not going to stop now.
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