What’s next for the merger of 3 huge state departments?

Kelly Garcia, director of Iowa Division of Human Companies speaks throughout a information convention April 15, 2020, on COVID-19 on the State Emergency Operations Middle in Johnston. The departments of human companies, public well being and getting older are being merged into one state division. (Brian Powers/Des Moines Register through AP)

DES MOINES — Over 5,000 state employees. Greater than $2 billion in state funding, or greater than 1 / 4 of the state price range. And thousands and thousands of Iowans — together with these on Medicaid — impacted by the companies supplied.

There’s a lot at stake because the state of Iowa continues to cement in state legislation the merger of three state departments — human companies, public well being and getting older — into one mega-department: the brand new Iowa Division of Well being and Human Companies.

That work will proceed within the 2023 session of the Iowa Legislature, which begins Monday.

State lawmakers set the legislative course of in movement throughout final yr’s session, through which they established a framework for the merger and created new benchmarks for the newly shaped division to achieve earlier than its official first day on July 1.

Extra laws will likely be required to proceed the merger.

Leaders amongst Republican state lawmakers, who’ve agenda-setting majorities in each the Iowa Home and Senate, indicated they’re deferring to Gov. Kim Reynolds, who proposed the merger in 2020, and Kelly Garcia, who directs the previous human companies and public well being departments, and will likely be director of the brand new well being and human companies division.

Reynolds declined to be interviewed for The Gazette’s legislative preview sequence. Garcia was not made out there for an interview after a number of requests. A spokeswoman cited Garcia’s busy schedule.

“I believe the governor has the proper individual there,” mentioned Pat Grassley, the Republican Home speaker from New Hartford. “In case you’re going to make that transition, Director Garcia is somebody that, of any director I’ve ever labored with in that division, she is probably the most accessible, looks as if actually has issues put collectively effectively over there.”

Garcia’s wage is capped by state legislation at $154,300 however she earns tens of 1000’s extra. Garcia, who directs each the human companies and public well being departments, was amongst state administrators beforehand authorised by Reynolds for a bonus. Garcia was paid $231,788 in fiscal 2022, state data present.

The human companies division employs 5,022 state employees and the general public well being division one other 462, in response to a transition report filed by Garcia in September.

State lawmakers within the present state price range appropriated simply greater than $2 billion collectively to the human companies, public well being and getting older departments. The budgets for the state veterans affairs division and Iowa Veterans House additionally had been included in that state funding.

Grassley and Jack Whitver, the Republican Senate majority chief from Grimes, mentioned they look ahead to any efficiencies that may be created by the merger.

“I’m all the time supportive of making an attempt to create efficiencies or modernizing state authorities,” Whitver mentioned. “A few of these (state businesses), the way in which these are arrange, have been arrange that means for many years. And the world adjustments, organizations change, and authorities ought to change, too. So (I’m) completely comfy with making an attempt to create efficiencies or modernize totally different elements of presidency.”

Democratic leaders mentioned they are going to be watching the laws to make sure Iowans who depend on the companies offered by the businesses don’t get misplaced within the shuffle. Amongst Democrats’ major issues is the state’s $6 billion Medicaid program, which served 893,804 Iowans over the previous yr, in response to a latest state report.

The Medicaid program is funded by a mix of state and federal {dollars}. Iowa contracts with two non-public well being care corporations — and a 3rd will take part July — that handle this system.

“We’re going to be watching fairly intently, as a result of on the finish of the day, these organizations are designed to assist Iowans who’re most weak and in vital want,” mentioned Jennifer Konfrst, the chief of the minority celebration Democrats within the Home. “So, are we presently assembly these wants appropriately? I might say in all probability not. Will merging these departments make it simpler for Iowans to entry these companies? Properly, they higher, if (Republicans) are going to get any assist from us on this.

“So on the finish of the day, our greatest concern is, can Iowans who need assistance get the assistance they want in a means that doesn’t overburden them, after which in a means that enables them to get again to residing a life that’s full and entire?”

Zach Wahls, who leads the minority celebration Democrats within the Iowa Senate, shared Konfrst’s concern and likewise mentioned he desires to make certain that the state doesn’t lose focus from its public well being division, particularly on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I believe the No. 1 concern is clearly ensuring that we’ve a seamless transition for Iowans who rely upon issues like Medicaid and different state companies. That’s not straightforward, however it’s critically vital,” Wahls mentioned. “I believe No. 2 is, given how substantial the human service portion goes to be of the newly merged HHS, ensuring that we don’t lose sight of the general public well being mission that’s persevering with to be entrance and middle.”

Feedback: (515) 355-1300, erin.murphy@thegazette.com