Letter to the Editor: Jasper County donation to ER project

I was recently informed that our community would not be losing our MercyOne Newton Medical Center due to Medicaid and Medicare cuts by the Trump administration. I am very pleased to hear this as I am sure the rest of Jasper County residents are as well.

Then I read in Newton News (9/9/25 that the Jasper County Board of Supervisors intended to donate $320,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to Emergency Room Project at MercyOne Medical Center.

What is the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)? This legislation was meant to enable all Americans to respond and recover from the impacts of COVID-19. In researching the (ARPA) I discovered that this legislation was passed under the Biden administration on March 11, 2021. Further research showed that Iowa’s U.S. Representative Cindy Axne (Democrat) voted for the ARPA. None of our other Iowa congressional representatives voted for this important legislation. Representative Ashley Hinson (Republican) voted NO. Representative Mariannette Miller Meeks (Republican) voted NO. Representative Randy Feenstra (Republican) voted No. Senator Charles Grassley voted NO. Senator Joni Ernst voted NO. Had their vote prevailed there would be no ARPA and no $320,000 for our Emergency Room Project.

Our hospital is receiving a great gift thanks to the Biden administration and no thanks to our Iowa Republican representatives in Congress. Wonder if they will be there for the ribbon-cutting ceremony like they always do to take credit.

The political party that works for the working class and stands for our Democratic freedom and rights is the political party I will be voting for in the 2026 midterm elections as well as the 2028 Presidential election. Vote Democrat!

Terri Gilbert

Newton