A case of bird flu has been detected in a commercial flock in Buena Vista County.

This is Iowa’s sixth case of the bird flu detected amongst domestic birds this year.

Governor Kim Reynolds has declared a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista County, effective through April 13th.

This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian

Multiple Southeast Iowa Fire Departments were dispatched yesterday for grass/field fires, the storm that blew through last night caused some trouble with downs power lines, tree, and sign damage.

According to police reports, the high winds from last night downed some wires, a sign and tree debris at Iris and Monroe Streets.  The Henry County Sheriff’s Office reports that there were power outages on Nature Center Road and downed power lines at Freedom Avenue at Oakland Mills Road and on Salem Road in Hillsboro.  The Winfield Police Department responded to reports of wind damage in the 2500 block of 130^th Street and in the 600 block of W. Highway 78.

The Mt. Pleasant and New London Fire Departments were on scene for a field fire in the 2900 block of Lexington Avenue early Friday afternoon and Mt. Pleasant Fire was called to the 2100 block of 235^th Street later on Friday afternoon for a field fire.  The New London Fire Department also dealt with a grass fire on 160^th Street.  In Wayland, the Wayland Fire Department was out with a field fire in the 1700 block of 335^th Street.  The Winfield Fire Department investigated a fire in the 300 block of N. Oak Street last night.

At a recent public forum, Representatives Taylor Collins, & Jeff Shipley, and Senators Adrian Dickey and Mark Lofgren, discussed the growing strain on the state’s Medicaid system and potential solutions to control rising costs.

Medicaid now accounts for approximately 20% of the state’s budget, a significant increase from just a decade ago when it made up 7%. Lawmakers expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the program, with over 600,000 Iowans currently enrolled. A key point of discussion was the number of able-bodied individuals receiving Medicaid benefits without being employed. Some legislators support implementing work requirements to ensure those who can work are contributing before receiving government-funded health care.

Another proposal aimed at reducing long-term health care costs involves reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Lawmakers suggested restricting the purchase of unhealthy foods, such as sugary drinks, to encourage better nutrition and reduce the prevalence of diet-related illnesses that burden Medicaid.

With health care expenses continuing to rise, lawmakers emphasized the need for a balanced approach that ensures access to care while maintaining fiscal responsibility. They urged citizens to stay informed and engage with federal representatives as national policy decisions could further impact Medicaid funding in Iowa.

Healthcare leaders and local legislators gathered for a public forum hosted by the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce’s Government Relations Committee to discuss pressing issues facing the healthcare system in Southeast Iowa.

Dr. Mike McCoy, President and CEO of Great River Health, and Teresa Colgan of Henry County Health Center provided an update on critical healthcare concerns, including workforce shortages, Medicare Advantage programs, and hospital capacity issues.

Medicare Challenges and Administrative Burdens

One of the primary concerns raised was the administrative burden imposed by Medicare Advantage (MCO) programs. Healthcare leaders noted that these programs often create complex, inconsistent rules that hospitals must navigate, leading to delays and inefficiencies in processing claims.

“We have some that just automatically deny claims, regardless of what the claim is for, which leads to unnecessary appeals and reprocessing,” Colgan explained. “It doesn’t add value and creates a challenge for both healthcare providers and consumers.”

Due to these challenges, some health systems have chosen to drop low-volume insurance plans that failed to meet operational expectations. While this impacted a small number of patients, Colgan emphasized the need for patients to carefully evaluate insurance plans to ensure they meet their needs.

Hospital Capacity and Patient Transfers

Healthcare facilities in Iowa are also struggling with hospital capacity issues, particularly when it comes to transferring patients to higher levels of care. Dr. McCoy highlighted that major hospitals, including the University of Iowa, are often at full capacity, leading to delays in patient transfers.

“Patients are sometimes boarded in emergency rooms for days while waiting for an available bed,” McCoy said. “This is especially challenging for patients with mental health diagnoses, including adolescents, who often face the longest waits.”

The issue is particularly pronounced in rural hospitals, where options for patient transfers are limited. While some patients can be sent to West Burlington more easily than Iowa City, capacity issues remain a statewide concern.

Severe Healthcare Workforce Shortages

Workforce shortages continue to be one of the most significant challenges facing rural healthcare providers. According to McCoy, Iowa ranks 44th out of 50 states in physicians per capita and is last in the country for the number of OB-GYNs per capita.

“If you don’t have enough physicians, you don’t have a service line, and if you don’t have a service line, people are forced to travel farther for care,” McCoy explained.

The problem is even worse in rural areas, where 70% fewer physicians practice compared to urban parts of Iowa. Currently, only 38% of counties in the state offer labor and delivery services, forcing many expectant mothers to travel long distances for care.

To address these shortages, McCoy highlighted ongoing efforts at the state level, including Governor Kim Reynolds’ rural healthcare workforce bill. The proposal aims to consolidate loan repayment and recruitment programs while increasing funding from $4 million to $10 million. Additionally, the state hopes to expand residency training programs, which could add 150 new residents per year over the next four years.

“There’s a lot of data showing that where medical students complete their residencies significantly impacts where they choose to practice,” McCoy noted. “So increasing training opportunities in Iowa is key.”

Addressing Rising Cancer Rates and Preventative Care

The discussion also touched on concerns over rising cancer rates in Southeast Iowa. Lawmakers and healthcare leaders acknowledged that limited access to medical care, including cancer screenings, may contribute to the trend.

“There’s evidence that Southeast Iowa has some of the highest cancer rates in the state, and part of that could be due to patients not getting diagnosed early enough,” McCoy said.

During the pandemic, many elective procedures, including colonoscopies, were postponed, creating a backlog of patients needing screenings. Healthcare providers are now working to address the delay and encourage the use of at-home screening kits.

Looking Ahead

While many of the challenges discussed are long-standing, healthcare leaders remain hopeful that legislative efforts and new policy initiatives will help address workforce shortages, improve access to care, and streamline administrative processes for providers.

As discussions continue, local hospitals and legislators emphasize the importance of community awareness and advocacy in shaping healthcare policies that best serve Iowa’s rural populations.