Iowa Senate approves a bill to stop the privatization of supervision of Iowa's Medicaid program

Three Republicans and all 26 Democrats in the Iowa Senate Thursday morning voted in favor of a bill calling for a repeal of Governor Terry Branstad's plans to turn over the management of Iowa's Medicaid program to three private companies.

Democratic State Senator Mary Jo Wilhelm voted in favor of the resolution, as did all 25 other Democrats.  They were joined by Republicans Jake Chapman of Adel, Tom Shipley of Nodaway and David Johnson of Ocheyedan.

Republican State Senator Mike Breitbach of Strawberry Point voted against the bill, as did 19 other Republicans in the State Senate.  After the vote, Breitbach said, "This Medicaid change willhappen and I had a decision to make about where we go from here.  I couldchoose to throw sand in the gears or I could do what I normally do, solveproblems.  I feel the best decision for the people of Iowa is to moveforward with the new plan, and I will work hard to make this new system work."