Pictured (L-R): Jenn Quigley, New Hope CEO; Jonathan Bladt, Regional Director for Senator Grassley; State Representative Craig Williams; Jim Oberhelman, Regional Director for Congressman Feenstra; Danielle Fineran, New Hope CFO; Cindy Neil, New Hope Director of Development; Camille Muhlbauer, New Hope Marketing Assistant; Brittany Rockwell, Regional Director for Senator Ernst; and Carroll Mayor Jerry Fleshner.
On Thursday, congressional staff and local officials gathered at New Hope in Carroll to discuss pressing rural issues, including Medicaid reimbursement, staffing shortages, and pharmacy access. Representatives from U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst and staff from Rep. Randy Feenstra’s office joined Iowa Rep. Craig Williams (R-Manning) for a tour and policy discussion with the New Hope executive team. The visit focused on proposed changes to Medicaid reimbursement rates and challenges posed by Iowa’s Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). Staff also visited with individuals served by New Hope, including Lynda Lane, a resident since 1977, who celebrated her 81st birthday during the event. Carroll Mayor Jerry Fleshner and Brent Simons from the Carroll Apothecary joined a separate discussion with local pharmacists and New Hope staff, highlighting the financial strain pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) place on rural pharmacies. Participants hope legislative staff seeing some of these challenges first-hand will lead to better solutions at the state and federal levels.
