“IowaCares”
Inclusive Healthcare for Iowans

Although numerous other logistics are written below, my platform for Governor includes two-tiered approach to healthcare reform for the State of Iowa:

1. Single-payer healthcare, with ability to “opt out” from paying the healthcare tax for anyone who earns $500 K or less — “Single-payer” means that every Iowan will pay a flat rate (4%) to help fund this program. Mathematically, it is the most cost effective for Iowans to pay for healthcare for essential services. Once this state-run, publicly-owned system is in place, Iowans will no longer have to do any paperwork when entering the hospital. It will be exactly as they do in London: they will simply ask, “What’s going on, and how can I help?” There will be no talk about “Waiting to see if your insurance comes through.”

– Those who earn less than $500,000, and who want to keep their private insurance, may choose to “opt out” from paying taxes on Iowa’s new state-owned version of Medicaid.

2. Premium Packages for Iowa-based Businesses to offer their employees — Iowa-based insurance companies will be strongly encouraged to band together to form a cooperative. The purpose will be to come up two packages to offer Iowa-based businesses:

1. Small Business Package — Small businesses tend to get hit harder when it comes to affording things like insurance packages. Therefore this package must be made affordable to make sure small businesses are excited and happy about this offer!

2. Big Business Package — Big businesses tend to be able to absorb costs by blanketing it over their large variety of products. Therefore, this package can cost a bit more, but still make it a sweet deal so that employees and employers are very happy about this rollout.

These packages must include an expanded network of providers (e.g. surgeons, doctors, therapists, etc.) not covered by the single-payer system, and access to what many insurance companies could deem cosmetic. We’re not going to go crazy and let people get bat wings or deer antlers, but if people feel insecure about part of their body — if they need hair plugs, rhinoplasty, face lift, breast augmentation — this plan will help them out. There should be no shame in any of this: we are blessed to have the technology. It is time to get over the stigmas, be grateful for what we have access to, expand coverage, and live a good, happy life.

 

The state will assist any Iowa-based health insurance company that suffers as a result of this plan

This was a difficult plan to come up with, as it required a lot of input from a wide variety of people over the years. The most difficult factors were:

(1) How to get everyone covered, because no one deserves to suffer,

(2) How to make it as cost effective for Iowans as possible,

(3) How to incentivize labor and help Iowa-based businesses, and

(4) How to do this in a way that doesn’t throw Iowa’s health insurance companies under the bus.

I have done my best to weigh each of these factors in a manner which has kept points (1) and (2) as top priorities, while accounting for the fact that points (3) and (4) are crucial. If the unfortunate instance occurs wherein Iowans lose health insurance jobs as a result of this plan, under my leadership the state will ensure that each employee is safely parachuted if they lose their jobs.

It is important to note that the healthcare insurance industry was invented back during a time when Iowa (and the United States) did not have the medical infrastructure we are now are blessed to have in place. The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Mercy, Mary Greeley, Broadlawns, and countless urban and rural hospitals are the absolute lifeblood of Iowa. We depend on our medical infrastructure and the people who work these important jobs. It is cruel when a surgery or healthcare need is denied when a loved one is at risk or danger. 

 

A 4% flat tax should easily cover this plan

First, if you find my calculations can be improved, please email SondraWilson4Governor@gmail.com. I would really appreciate your help to ensure this is done right. It is a very important issue.

Here’s an estimation of what we’ve currently been paying into Medicaid, so that you will understand why I am currently looking at a flat 4% tax on wages to fund this program:

– Federally, employees pay 1.45% of gross wages directly to Medicare. Employers match this amount.

– The 3.8% state tax supports numerous public programs, not exclusively Medicaid.

– Around 5.25% of your paycheck goes into these systems—1.45% federally (Medicare) + 3.8% at the state level (general income tax).

Please read on for additional parts of the plan, and several of my thoughts as to why I firmly believe this is the best plan to help Iowans. Here is a summary of what your are about to see:

 

Long Live “The Wave”

In the upper-right corner of the above image, you’ll see Iowa Hawkeyes turning around and giving “The Wave” to Stead Children’s Hospital, a tradition since 2017. Before we continue with my plan, please — whether you’re a Cyclone, a Hawkeye, or a Husker — please take a moment to learn about “The Wave” thanks to NBC News:

 

So now you know. Why IowaCares? Because Iowans care!

 

IowaCares aka “SondraCare“
What can I say? It has a nice ring!

Congress and the President betrayed us,
Iowans must sue, and use the damages to invest in our Single-Payer system

WHEREAS thousands of Iowans are set to be kicked off Medicaid if Congress and the President throw us under the bus due to the Republicans’ recent handoff to the wealthy elite, Iowans must sue to hold those who violated our Ninth Amendment Right accountable. After all, the Medicare and Medicaid Act guarantees “the right to receive medically-necessary services”, and this right is guaranteed under the Ninth Amendment. 

WHEREAS impacted persons have already been severely harmed by the threat of the bill (anxiety, mental anguish and distress, fear, emotional pain and suffering), THEREFORE impacted Iowans are due damages (money). We’ll be investing the money from damages into continuing coverage for Iowans until Iowans have our own single-payer healthcare system in place, which again allows those who make less than $500 K to opt out.

Additional damages will be used as seed funding to establish Iowa’s new publicly-owned credit union for Iowans (similar to North Dakota’s publicly-owned bank, but instead it’s a credit union). The credit union will be backed by the AAR Association, who “fights like hell” for Iowans. You can read about the credit union here, and it will get its own standalone page soon.

Let’s not wait until I’m elected: sign and share the following Petition to demand redress due to violation of MediCaid rights, which are guaranteed under the 9th Amendment, and I will show this petition to the Judge, Jury, and Attorney(s) to ensure you are included in the class action! Make sure to share this petition (click the banner) and write #Sondra4Governor, and *please* donate to Wild Willpower PAC (or directly to my campaign for Governor) so I can afford to get more people involved in this crucial movement for Iowa:

How do we get taxes from the wealthy who stash their money offshore to avoid taxes?

First and foremost, we shall appeal to their conscience and their sense of agape. This is not an “us v. them” issue, if we can frame it in a way that requests their mercy, compassion, wisdom, and leadership. Hopefully all of them have seen the movie Scrooged!, and they know what “the right thing to do” is:

 

It is good to have a backup plan!

We cannot be naïve. After all, hope is not a plan:

Above image by openDemocracy respectfully utilized in accordance with the U.S. Copyright Office’s Fair Use Policy and the Fair Use Doctrine.

I do not know the faiths of Iowa’s multi-millionaire and multi-billionaire classes, but the answer seems pretty obvious: if they can afford to toss millions of dollars over the tops of our heads and game our elections, they can certainly afford a tax increase to ensure Iowans have the life-saving care we need. If they don’t like this idea and they want to save money, they can do so by no longer meddling in our elections. 

If the ultra-wealthy decide not to show they care and fork it over, then the Public Intelligence Agency (“PIA”) shall hire young, brilliant minds out of Iowa State University’s Cyber Security program and similar programs, to track down every dollar of Iowa’s multi-millionaire and billionaire classes, even if that means tracking down offshore tax havens. After all, this is embezzlement, and must be treated as such.

For every penny the State of Iowa spends tracking these assets and accounts down, persons who are found guilty of overseas stashery or other forms of tax evasion, shall be fined with escalating fees for each day they continue to keep it hidden. They can avoid this via coming clean ahead of time, and paying their 4%. For those whom we know have money stashed away, but which they won’t come clean about, there will have to be jail time. We really hope it doesn’t have to come to this, however that is why the PIA’s mascot might have to be RoboCop, and this is why Iowans need a strong Governor who is not compromised or involved in shady, backdoor deals, and who will stick up for them.

Above image of RoboCop from the RoboCop Wiki is respectfully utilized in accordance with the U.S. Copyright Office’s Fair Use Policy and the Fair Use Doctrine.

 

Reduced Administrative Costs (taxes) for Welfare Programs

Instead of taxpayers paying administrative costs of constantly sending out renewal letters to Medicaid and SNAP recipients, Iowa’s taxpayers will save money by not sending out letters. Wasted tax dollars will instead go toward IowaCares.

While being blessed enough to participate in DMACC’s London Abroad program, Professor Moody pointed out, during our “British Life and Culture” class, that when Londoners go to the hospital, there is no paperwork. The first thing they ask is, “What’s going on?” My entire class gasped and groaned. I thought about how my surgery has repeatedly been denied these past several years, and the numerous horror stories I’ve heard from other Iowans who are being denied life-saving coverage.

Increased Pay for Caregivers

Through the Iowa Commonwealth Act, wages will be increased so that we can keep people working these very difficult, noble, seemingly thankless jobs. I have no envy for the people who do this tireless work, but I do have empathy and admiration for them.

 

The Parable of Two Men and Their Horses
Omg – the tranny speaks in parables!?

Two men each had a horse that was sick, but they needed to get up the mountain to secure their cabins before the winter storm.

Donald did not want to wait until his horse got well. That would take too long!
Instead he decided to ride his sick horse up the mountain.

The other man, Gandalf, decided to care for his horse until it got well before heading up the mountain.
“That’s going to take forever! You’re an idiot!” scoffed Donald, as he left camp and headed up the base of the mountain.

Two days later, Gandalf’s horse, Shadowfax, was neighing in delight and prancing around. Knowing that she feeling better and wanted to ride, Gandalf put his packs on the horse and rode up the mountain.

About halfway up they saw Donald crying and looking down at his poor horse, which lain collapsed on the ground, exhausted and shivering.

“You ought to have formed a more solid plan.” said Gandalf.

“I had a concept of a plan!” said Donald assuredly.

Unfortunately, a concept of a plan wasn’t enough.

The Moral

Many say, “Work hard and save up, then you can afford surgery,” however feeling completely overwhelmed by the sheer cost of a surgery is extremely daunting, especially while suffering because you can’t afford surgery. If we want happy, hard-working Iowans, we should prioritize healing them first so that they do not collapse halfway up the mountain.

Above images used for First Amendment purposes in accordance with the US Copyright Office’s Fair Use Policy and the Fair Use Doctrine.

 

Section on transgender healthcare is being finished. Please check back soon!

 

Gender Affirming Care for Transgender Adults must be Covered

Please take a moment to hear me out on this very important topic.

I was born a male, and around sixth grade — without medical intervention of any sort — developed breasts and other typically female secondary sex characteristics. It caused me severe shame, and because I was raised in a Christian household, I was incorrectly taught that the thoughts and emotions I was internalizing were the result of sin instead of being the result of something biological or spiritual: that debate could go on forever, but I am not here to debate. I am writing this to attempt to alleviate my own suffering, and to advocate for other transgender people who do not have a platform, such as I do, to convey on their own behalves.

page in making

I have heard many unqualified people with no personal experience on this topic speak on this issue. As a 43 year old transgender woman who has suffered immensely this lifetime, I assure you that not being able to receive care is excruciating physically, mentally, and emotionally.

 

Physically —

 

 

Ensure access to Gender Affirming Care for Adults – The Medicaid and Medicare Act secures the right to medically-necessary procedures and the right to be free from discrimination. The 9th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees these rights. Due to the fact that many insurance companies wrongly consider gender affirming care cosmetic as opposed to necessary, kicking transgender people off Medicaid can leave them desperate and in severe physical and emotional pain.

 

 

More information about this plan will be added soon.

 

Age Restrict Hormone Therapy for Youth: 16, or in extreme cases, 14

Well, if I’m going to get shot in the head over a topic, this’ll be the one. Honestly, with as much suffering as I’ve endured this lifetime as a result of bigotry, lack of compassion, and false information being broadcast as “God’s Word” by various religious organizations, I’d rather stand up and die for what I truly believe in than sit quietly and not speak what I have found to be true.

This is a lot for me to put out there because this is such a divisive and emotional topic, and after listening to a lot of people over the years on this topic, I have come to this conclusion: everyone believes that they are correct, and no one is willing to budge an inch. That said, there are many various reasons for which the conclusion I have come to lies directly in the middle.

Age 12 is too young, and 18 is too old

page in making; check back soon.

My stance does not align with either the left’s or the right’s, however – as a 43 year old transgender woman who was raised a boy, but naturally developed intersex characteristics – including breasts – around 6th grade, I am qualified to have a seat at the table for this conversation. 

 

I felt severe shame throughout my teenage years, hiding my breasts beneath tight shirts, with loose shirts over the top. I didn’t develop body hair like my older brothers – not even on my thighs. Although I have not taken a genetic test, my doctor suspected I have Klinefelter’s Syndrome, or XXY chromosomes. Regardless, my thoughts, emotions, and physical response to attraction have always been more typically female.

 

I am so grateful for the healthcare I have received: it is truly a blessing that has helped me no longer feel trapped “in the middle”, and instead I am feeling comfortable and unashamed of my body and of my thoughts. This is not to say that people do not prefer to be in the middle – many clearly do – however, for me, hormone therapy and surgery have brought me tears of gratitude. 

 

Although when I prayed to God when I was young that I would not wake up a boy, I expected to magically wake up a girl. That, however, was not God’s plan for me, for as they say, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Another of my earliest prayers, which I spoke at Camp Wesley Woods during Confirmation Camp with the United Methodist Church, is that if God ever needed me to do something for Him – no matter how difficult it was, I would do it. As I have gotten older and begun to understand the historical (or “her-storical”, rather) significance of my life’s journey, I am certain that to help bring understanding and compassion to humanity during this time of pain and misunderstanding is in fact my journey. My path has been exceptionally difficult. Following years of harassment, violent crime, and discrimination – including by public officials here in Iowa who severely violated me – I am honored by and grateful that the Creator has sent me on this journey and given me this mission. Some people will be turned off by the fact that I am wearing my heart on my sleeve and saying such dogmatic things, but it is important that I get this out in the open and known to the public while I am still alive to share my story. Please read my story on www.WildWillpower.org, for my story is part of Iowa’s story. 

 

To cut to the chase, here is my stance on puberty blockers for children, here is my stance on the topic of puberty blockers, surgery for minors, and related material.

 

Although studies do show that puberty blockers are safe and effective for youth, there are instances of persons, when they get older, who blow the whistle to warn society that kids are simply too young to make such life-altering decisions. Can a 12 year old fathom what the phrase “30 years from now” truly means? After all, it was only 4 short years ago that the floor was lava. The reason I say this, is that taking chemical hormones is something that child will remain chemically addicted to for the rest of their life. When they are 40 or 50 years old, they will still be taking hormones, and thinking back to when they were a child and made such a life altering decision. This is not to say that there are not legitimate cases of transgender children, as surely there are, but it would be reckless – as adults – to not err on the side of caution. 

 

Age 18, however, is too late – especially for transgender women, who will, as a result, maintain irreversible typically male characteristics throughout adulthood if we force them to wait until age 18.

 

Therefore, it is my position that no one under the age of 16 – except in rare instances, in which case age 14 would be allowed – should be administered hormone therapy for the purposes of gender and/or sex transition. Rare instances would include cases where – without undue influence by adults – a child naturally shows tendencies and inclinations of the opposite sex, and puberty is taking place in a manner so as to likely cause irreversible and unwanted changes. In such instances, mental health support should be administered – not for the sake of swaying one way or the other – but for the sake of determining whether or not the case is legitimate. 

 

I have no doubt people with opposing views – on both sides of the political aisle – will be livid. I will write much more on this topic, and why I came to this conclusion in the future, when time allows.

 

 

References

Featured Image/GIF:

Ames Local. Mary Greeley Medical Center. https://ameslocal.com/mary-greeley-medical-center/

CBS Austin.  (November 8th 2017). ‘The Wave’ at Iowa brings sense of community, pride. Associated Press. https://cbsaustin.com/sports/college/the-wave-at-iowa-brings-sense-of-community-pride.

DSM.  (6/4/2024). Broadlawns Medical Center. https://dsmmagazine.com/2024/06/04/broadlawns-medical-center-2/

Image of Spok: Traves, Lindsay. (May 10, 2023). This is Why We ‘Live Long and Prosper’. https://www.startrek.com/news/live-long-and-prosper-jewish-history-month.

Image of Captain Janeway: Pierce-Bohen, Kayleena (Feb. 15, 2020). Star Trek: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Female Captain Kathryn Janeway. ScreenRant. https://screenrant.com/star-trek-voyager-janeway-hidden-facts/.

Centene. 2025. Centene Subsidiary IOWA TOTAL CARE awarded statewide Medicaid contract. Centene Corporation. https://investors.centene.com/2024-09-04-CENTENE-SUBSIDIARY-IOWA-TOTAL-CARE-AWARDED-STATEWIDE-MEDICAID-CONTRACT.

Iowa Workforce Development. (2022). 2022 Iowa Industry Profile. https://workforce.iowa.gov/media/752/download

Overland, Dina. (April 3, 2014). WellPoint CEO earned $17M first year on the job. Fierce Healthcare.  https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/wellpoint-ceo-earned-17m-first-year-job.

Rosenes, Mark. (November 22, 2023). Which health insurance CEOs get the highest pay? Insurance Business. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/guides/which-health-insurance-ceos-get-the-highest-pay-467513.aspx.