Rob Sand Releases New Plan to Make Life More Affordable for Iowans

DES MOINES, IA – Today, nominee for governor Rob Sand released the latest series of policy proposals of his “Truer, Better Agenda,” aimed at making life more affordable for Iowans. The plan includes common-sense proposals that can help lower Iowans’ health care, housing, education, and energy costs.

“Traveling the state, I’ve heard it everywhere I go: the cost of living is just too high. From health care costs to utilities to groceries and housing, Iowa families are working hard but still can’t keep up,” said nominee for governor Rob Sand. “While costs have skyrocketed, Iowans’ paychecks have mostly stayed the same. What have our elected officials been focused on? Culture wars, gutting the Auditor’s Office, and further dividing us. Enough. I want to focus on solving Iowans’ problems and lowering their costs, and that’s exactly what I’ll do as governor.” 

Rob’s plan to help lower Iowans’ costs includes:

• Lowering health care costs: 

  • End the privatization of Medicaid.
  • Lower the cost of prescription drugs.
  • Support family caregivers who often spend thousands of dollars out of their own pockets to provide care.
  • Expand Iowa’s “Surprise Bill” law to cover all medical appointments and procedures.
  • Protect Iowans from medical debt: Iowa currently has the highest rate of medical debt in the country, and has the number one growth rate for cancer. Medical debt is cheap, and as governor, Rob would work to clear Iowans’ of this burden and protect them from credit penalties.

• Lowering energy costs:

  • Cap “service” or “meter” fees which are not based on usage but which Iowans are forced to pay simply for enrolling in the service.
  • Put customers first by making the ratemaking process more transparent, in addition to holding major corporations and data centers accountable.
  • Expand grid capacity and efficiency
  • Promote affordable renewables 

• Lowering education costs:

  • Provide universal school meals to Iowa public school students.
  • Invest in universal Pre-K
  • Require accountability over the school voucher program

• Lowering housing costs:

  • Build more homes and eliminate red tape
  • Protect Iowans against price gouging
  • Make downpayment assistance for first-time homebuyers interest-free 

Read the full plan here, and view all of Rob’s policy priorities here.