Heaton enjoys House service, plans to seek another term

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Dave Heaton has enjoyed the past 22 years as a state representative, and he wants to serve another term in the Iowa House of Representatives.

?I really enjoy my work,? the Mt. Pleasant Republican said as he was traveling to Des Moines Monday morning for another week in the Legislature. ?I like connecting with my district, and feel that I?m readily accessible and willing to listen to the people.?

Heaton is in his 11th term in the House, representing District 84 the past two years. District 84 encompasses all of Henry County as well as portions of Washington, Jefferson and Lee counties.

Widely recognized for his work in the fields of health care and mental health, Heaton said he is most gratified by helping those who need help the most.

?My favorite part of the job is helping people out with their problems. That is by far the most satisfying,? he commented. ?The last 18 years I have worked with human services ? health care for single mothers the elderly and disabled. I have worked to provide a safety net for these people.?

He has chaired the House Health and Human Services Committee for a number of years and also serves on the appropriations, human resources and judiciary committees.

The state representative said he has remained focused on funding Iowans? priorities, such as education and health care, while also being fiscally responsible with tax dollars.

?All Iowans should have a chance to succeed regardless of their disability or age,? Heaton said. ?I will continue my work to make the state budget is efficient and effective for Iowans, while at the same time ensuring there is adequate funding for Iowa?s most vulnerable. I want to continue to focus on policies that create a climate which results in quality, high-paying careers for the people of District 84.?

He remarked that there have been many changes on the Iowa landscape during his two decades in office, the largest being the ever-increasing number of Iowans who need help.

?The sheer number of people needing aid has increased. We have gone from 200,000 people on Medicaid to 600,000,? he explained. ?Access to care is a much bigger issue. I also think it is important that young people look toward careers in health care. The need for adequate workers is tremendous.?

Medicaid costs, he said, are growing at about 9.2 percent annually. Medicaid expense now is 22 percent of the state budget, up from 12 percent when Heaton started his legislative career.

Although he has served nearly a quarter of a century in Des Moines, he said his enthusiasm has never waned. ?I am absolutely as enthusiastic as when I started. In my area, there are always new challenges.?

A former school teacher, Heaton and his wife, Carmen, owned and operated the Iris Restaurant, in Mt. Pleasant, for many years. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve?s 872nd Ordinance Company. He has been involved in numerous civic and professional organizations including Kiwanis International, Henry County Pork Producers and the Henry County Farm Bureau. He is a past president of the Iowa Restaurant Association and a former board member of the Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce.