Meghann on the Issues

Here are Meghann’s expanded responses to the recent Vote 411 questionnaire.

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What steps will you take to ensure everyone living in our state has access to quality
and affordable health care?

Iowa’s health care infrastructure has been decimated under a decade of one-party rule. Rural
communities have been hit the hardest, as we see more and more clinics closing down. In
addition, the attacks on reproductive healthcare have had a negative impact, as Iowa ranks dead
last in the nation for obgyns per capita.

I believe every Iowan deserves access to affordable, high-quality health care no matter their
income or ZIP code. If elected, I will:

• Fight to protect and expand Medicaid
• Support legislation that will lower prescription drug costs
• Support legislation that would expand access to mental health care
• Work to proctect Iowa’s rural hospitals and clinics and expand access in underserved areas
• Protect reporductive freedom, including opposing efforts to criminalize doctors and women for
  providing/seeking life-saving treatment

What will you do to combat the underlying issues driving the inflation rate such as in rising
costs of housing, childcare, energy, and groceries?

Affordability is a top concern for Iowans of all ages and stages. We need practical strategies that
lower costs for working people instead of shifting the burden onto them. Iowans are in desperate
need of relief, and it’s vital that we create and deliver on solutions in a meaningful way.

I support policies that will:

• Increase the minimum wage
• Protect homeowners (including mobile home residents) and renters from predatory practices
  and price gouging
• Address rising insurance costs by strengthening consumer protections and oversight of
  premium increases
• Strengthen and expand programs to support first-time homebuyers
• Support the growth of affordable, local childcare programs and expand the eligibility requirements
  for childcare assistance
• Strengthen and expand support for community-based food programs
  Support policies that strengthen competition and consumer protections, so large corporations
  can’t drive up grocery, energy, and household prices unchecked.

What actions will you take to uphold the constitutional balance between federal and
state authority in the administration of our state-run elections?

Unfortunately, we are seeing numerous attempts to undermine and politicize the integrity of our
elections through partisan overreach. These efforts are dangerous and undermine one of the most
sacred parts of our democracy.

I believe:

• Iowa should continue to administer its own elections with policies that emphasize fairness,
  security and transparency, and consistency with both the U.S. and Iowa Constitutions.
• We can protect the integrity of our elections while also protecting every eligible citizen’s right
  to vote.
• Qualified county auditors should be elected by the people they serve and are not appointed
  through a partisan political process.
• We should support policies that give local election officials the resources they need to maintain
  accurate voter rolls through lawful and transparent processes, and protect the independence and
  professionalism of the public servants who administer our elections.
• I will also fight to protect the privacy of Iowans sensitive information as well as bipartisan,
  transparent redistricting processes.

What are the most important challenges facing our state, and what do you propose
to address them?

• Affordability and health care costs/access (see above)
• Cancer crisis: Iowa is facing a growing cancer crisis, with some of the fastest-rising
  rates in the nation. Keeping Iowans healthy requires bipartisan solutions, with a strong
  focus on water quality, research, and community-driven public health initiatives.
• Attacks on public education: Iowa’s public education system has fallen dramatically
  in national rankings. A decade of one-party rule has set our public schools up for failure
  due to severe underfunding and growing political interference in classrooms. We need
  to restore Iowa’s tradition of excellent public schools by:
  • Fully funding public education
  • Supporting our teachers through increased pay and providing them with adequate
    resources they need to succeed
  • Ensuring every student, no matter where they live or what kind of support they
    need, has access to a high-quality education.
• Attacks on civil rights: Civil rights are not a zero-sum game. They ensure every
  Iowan, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, have
  the freedom to live without fear of discrimination. Unfortunately, Iowa has rolled back
  protections that once ensured safety and equal rights. These rollbacks harm
  communities already at risk, and send the message that Iowa is an unwelcoming place.
  This has far-reaching implications for economic growth (we’re dead last in the nation)
  population growth (young people are leaving the state in droves) and more. Civil rights
  are for everyone, and they must be restored to ensure every person can live, work, and
  thrive in our state.
• Water quality: Iowans are fed up with the status quo and want to see meaningful
  action around water quality issues. While some steps have been taken, we need to do
  more, including:
  • Ensuring honesty and transparency around causes and expanding testing/monitoring
    Keeping the nitrate sensor network fully funded
  • Investing in infrastructure to help smaller communities and folks who use private
    wells
  • Adequate nutrient-reduction strategies (voluntary practices aren’t enough)
    Investing in educational efforts

What three actions will you support to protect, preserve, and enhance America’s
democracy and why?

It is in all of our best interests to protect and strengthen our democracy and ensure our
government elevates the needs of the public first and foremost. This requires electing leaders
who are thoughtful, empathetic, knowledgeable, and committed to public service as a
responsibility to the people and not a path to personal gain. It also requires strong oversight and
accountability to prevent corruption and ensure government remains transparent and responsive.
We must work together to listen to each other and work through disagreements in a productive
way, seeking common ground as often as possible.

I support:

• Protecting fair and secure elections (see above)
• Increasing transparency and reducing the influence of money in politics.
• Restoring the trust of the public by strengthening/fixing our institutions and promoting anti-
  corruption efforts