GOVERNOR · DEBATE COVERAGE
Sand and Lahn split on Medicaid and school funding in final debate
Rob Sand and Zach Lahn offered different approaches to health care and education in their October 27 debate in Cedar Rapids, while finding agreement on more psychiatric care and stronger conservation efforts. The Democrat and Republican met at Prairie High School for the final debate of the governor's race, hosted by KCRG-TV9 and The Gazette. Watch the official replay.
Different approaches to Medicaid
Both candidates called for more access to psychiatric treatment. Lahn linked additional facilities to economic growth and the resources needed to sustain them. Sand described his family's difficulty finding care and argued that untreated mental illness also creates public-safety problems.
They differed over Medicaid's private managed-care system. Sand proposed ending privatization, arguing that payment and coverage denials hurt patients and providers. Lahn favored keeping private management with stronger oversight, including prompt payment, restrictions on managed-care companies owning providers or pharmacies, and a ban on artificial intelligence in claims denials.
Both broadly supported work requirements. Sand emphasized making the reporting process simple enough that eligible people do not lose coverage over paperwork; Lahn emphasized work and eligibility safeguards. Iowa Capital Dispatch's reporting.
Schools, conservation and pipelines
Lahn defended education savings accounts as giving parents more options. Sand called for income limits, audits and a requirement that private schools accepting public money admit students who want to attend.
Both backed funding for water and land conservation. Their answers connected water quality to concern about Iowa's cancer burden, but those remarks should not be read as a settled medical explanation of the state's cancer rates. They also both said they would sign a ban on eminent domain for private carbon-dioxide pipelines. KCRG's debate coverage.
Taxes and wages
On property taxes, Sand wanted time to assess the recently enacted changes before revising them. Lahn described a longer-term goal of eliminating property taxes on single-family primary residences, while acknowledging the need to address local-government funding.
Lahn also proposed banning hedge funds from buying residential housing, arguing that those purchases drive up housing costs. KCRG's account of the proposal.
Sand supported a $12 minimum wage. Lahn did not propose an increase in his answer, instead emphasizing investment and job growth at Iowa businesses. Both opposed state incentives for hyperscale data-center developments. The Gazette's recap.
This recap draws on the linked reporting by the debate hosts and other journalists. Watch the full recording for the complete exchanges.