Lee County, IA – Congressman Dave Loebsack (D-Mt. Vernon) believes No Child Left Behind will be reauthorized by the current Congress.
He does not know, though, if it will take place this year or next year.
Loebsack says the reauthorization should only take place, though, if significant reforms are implemented.
"Making sure they (school districts) have the tools to succeed," says Loebsack, "instead of simply punishing them which is largely what happened in the past."
Loebsack says one way to help them is to redefine student achievement. He says it should be based on several criteria, not just one standardized test.
Loebsack says school districts should also have more freedom to work with special education or ESL (English as a Second Language) students.
The Congressman says linking teacher pay with student achievement and the future of the Department of Education will likely come up as No Child Left Behind is debated in Washington, DC.
Health Care
The amount of money Keokuk Area Hospital is reimbursed for treating certain patients is not keeping up with the cost of providing services.
Congressman Dave Loebsack says a study into Medicare reimbursement rates and how they differ from state to state could change that.
He says hospitals in Iowa would benefit if there is more of a link between quality care and reimbursement rates.
"We are at the top of the list in terms of efficiency of care and quality of care," says Loebsack, "yet we are at the bottom when it comes to reimbursement rates. That, in and above itself, will solve some of the problems."
It could be another year, though, before the study is complete.
Loebsack says, in the meantime, he will see what can be done to help Keokuk Area Hospital achieve "critical-access" status. That would open up the hospital to certain federal funds it does not qualify for now.