Abigail Barefoot – Daily Staff Writer

Health Care: Conlin believes Medicare policy punishes seniors with unfair reimbursement rates.

For decades, that has meant that Iowa’s physicians and hospitals have had one of the lowest reimbursement rates in the nation. Senator Grassley has done nothing to correct this unfair situation in the 30 years he has been in the Senate, according to Conlin’s website.

Jobs and the economy: Conlin opposed the bailouts for Wall Street, and said she would work with small businesses in the forms of tax credits if elected to Senate. She also said she would invest in alternative energy sources.

In the Senate, I will put Iowans to work by investing in homegrown alternatives that lessen our dependence on foreign oil and clean up our environment, according to Conlin’s website.

Education: Conlin believes The American Opportunity Tax Credit should be made permanent, and should be increased from $2,500 to $4,000 a year. She also believes the Senate should follow the House of Representatives by passing legislation to shift federal loan programs into a direct lending model.

“The federal government can provide funds to help schools raise salaries. And we can create incentives, such as tuition reimbursement, to convince young people to become teachers, especially in rural areas and in low-achieving schools.”

Background: For more than 25 years, Conlin has owned Roxanne Conlin & Associates. It was recently cited by a national magazine as one of the best firms to work for because of its family-friendly practices. She also served as U.S. Attorney in Iowa and was elected as the first female president of the American Association for Justice, and selected as one of the first women in the Inner Circle of Advocates.