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At the Iowa Taxpayers Association's annual symposium on Friday, elected officials discussed Medicaid and the program's transition into management by four private, for-profit companies. The change is scheduled for January 1st, but many say this is a rushed deadline. State Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says he anticipates that during the next legislative session, a lot of focus will be devoted to resolving Medicaid-related issues. (Boden, 12/4)

Treyner [Ramus], adopted by his Bondurant family as a 3-year-old through Iowa’s foster care program, was exposed to methamphetamine and cocaine before and after birth, causing brain injury. ... Now 8, the child’s extensive health care, much of which is covered by Medicaid, is essential to his survival and development, his parents say. They have so far been unable to determine which one of the four companies hired by the state to manage the program is best for their child. Kelly Ramus will tell her son’s story on behalf of her family and other families to a legislative oversight committee Monday. She plans to ask state leaders to delay the transition. The next day, officials from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are scheduled to arrive in Iowa to conduct a review. They could scuttle the planned Jan. 1 launch if they find the state isn't ready for the changes. (Clayworth, 12/6)