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Publicly funded family planning services are cost-effective for women who would use Medicaid and other public assistance programs if they became pregnant and gave birth. The study by PPC researcher Dr. Belinda Udeh, Dr. Mary Losch at the University of Northern Iowa and colleagues focused on women being served by Iowa’s publicly funded family planning clinics in 2009. The study further reported a weighted average of $3.78 saved for every $1 spent on family planning in the first year for women newly eligible for assistance and $15.12 when the savings are forecast for five years. Read the report here

HF Program Director Daniel McGehee and UNC colleague Robert Foss testified on January 19 to the Iowa house and senate committee considering a bill to enhance the Iowa graduated drivers license program. In a survey, the researchers found overwhelming parental support for new proposed restrictions, including banning texting and cell phone use while driving, and limiting passengers and night driving for new teen drivers. The new law could save many lives. "When North Carolina passed similar laws about 10 years ago, the teen crash rate decreased 38 percent," McGehee said. Read more

This latest report evalutes Medicaid managed care in Iowa from the consumer perspective. Authors Peter Damiano, Jean Willard, Ki Park and Elizabeth Momany found that in the 2009 survey, MediPass, Iowa's only Medicaid managed care plan, continues to receive higher ratings than the traditional Fee-for-service program. Other notable results include: ease of getting needed care has declined for both adults and children since 2007; and a significant percentage of adults continued to have problems accessing dental care and prescription medications. Read more

In a recent editiorial on the upcoming lecture series Policy Matters: Scholarly and Practical Perspectives on Contemporary Problems, the Iowa Press Citizen declared that they "always appreciate it when the faculty and staff at the University of Iowa go out of their way to put the 'public' back in 'public university.'" The paper encourages readers to "make sure they get the most bang for their buck out of the public university in their midst" by attending the public lectures, which begin Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30 p.m. in Shambaugh Auditorium. Read the editorial

Ever wonder what academics are really up to? Now you can find out for free. The Public Policy Center is joining with the UI History Department to offer an unprecedented series of public forums featuring nationally recognized experts to share their perspectives on pressing domestic policy issues. Topics will include Health Care, Poverty, Energy, and Economic Development, among others. 
Click here to go to the Policy Matters home page

Susan McKernan, PPC Graduate Reseach Assistant, has won the University of Iowa L.B. Sims Outstanding Master's Thesis Award. Dr. McKernan recently received her M.S. in Dental Public Health. Her thesis is titled Modeling a State Dentist Workforce Using County Level Data. The award includes a cash prize and certificate of recognition. The thesis will also represent the University of Iowa in the Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools (MAGS) Distinguished Thesis Award competition.