Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
The public will get the opportunity to sound off on a controversial piece of labor-backed legislation tonight when the Iowa House holds a hearing on House File 530, the “choice of doctor” bill.
Most expect a heated debate, with Democrats and labor unions lining up in support of the bill and Republicans and business organizations lining up against it. And both sides are already pulling out all the stops.
Under the measure, Iowa workers’ compensation law would be changed so employees would have the right to designate a doctor to treat them for workplace injuries. Currently, the choice of which doctor an employee sees rests with the employer.
Opponents of the measure say the change will mean an increase in costs to businesses and government.
“With our strained economy and shaky budget, it is certainly not the time to be even suggesting proposals that make it harder to be an employer in Iowa,” House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said. “It sends a bad message to our current businesses and will only deter other businesses from setting up shop in Iowa.”
It could also lead to greater instances of “doctor shopping,” opponents contend, with employees looking for a physician who will give them the diagnosis they are looking for.
The bill’s backers counter that employees would have to pre-designate a physician when they are hired, and if they don’t, that decision will fall on the employer. If the employer is not pleased with the chosesn doctor they can suggest alternative care or appeal to the labor commissioner. They say the change will mean better care and treatment for injured workers, and claims of “doctor shopping” are simply scare tactics.
The lead up to the debate has already been contentious.
The Association of Business and Industry, a longtime opponent of the bill, has been running ads on Iowa radio stations saying “union bosses want to control the heatlh care of Iowa’s workers,” and that the change will hurt businesses and their employees.
In response, Iowa House Democrats used their Twitter page to bring up Republican pundit Rush Limbaugh’s admitted addiction to OxyContin, which he by got by another form of “doctor shopping” — obtaining overlapping prescriptions from multiple practitioners.
Then today, with Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn scheduled to speak out against the choice of doctor bill at Cedar Falls’ company Iowa Metal Spinners Inc., Democrats have gone on the attack. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan sent out a press release saying that Iowa Metal Spinners had been cited for 13 violations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
“This is the height of hypocrisy,” Kiernan said. “Holding events on ‘job security’ in a place run by serial OSHA violators really hits the nail on the head.”
The public hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the chambers of the Iowa House. Those wishing to speak should call 515-281-5129.
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