@occonews: Iowa Governor-Elect Rob Sand said at his first post-election news conference on November 9 that he intends to begin unwinding the state’s privatized Medicaid system on his first day in office. He also announced his chief of staff and additional cross-party transition leaders ahead of taking office in January 2027. “This is not a thing that we can do overnight,” Sand said. “But my intention is that that process begins on day one.” He campaigned on ending Medicaid privatization, saying his work as state auditor had exposed an increase in wrongful denials of care. That assessment should be attributed to Sand. Longtime adviser Abe Rakov will serve as chief of staff. Former Iowa Republican Party Chairman Mike Mahaffey and independent state Representative Brian Lohse, who was previously a Republican, will join the transition steering committee as Republican and independent co-chairs. Both had endorsed Sand during the campaign. “I want to have people around who think differently than me,” Sand said. “I said it in the campaign, and I meant it every time I said it.” He said he had spoken with legislative leaders from both parties and believed voters wanted practical cooperation. Sand has not selected his cabinet or announced a full implementation timetable for the Medicaid changes. Republicans will continue to control both legislative chambers when he takes office.

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