RECAP: Josh Turek Continues Team Iowa Tour with Eastern Iowa Farm Visit and Roundtable on Health Care Access

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August 29, 2026

RECAP: Josh Turek Continues Team Iowa Tour with Eastern Iowa Farm Visit and Roundtable on Health Care Access

Josh is continuing to meet Iowans where they are and hear about the issues that matter most to them

Des Moines, IA – Yesterday, U.S. Senate candidate and Paralympian Josh Turek continued his statewide “Team Iowa Tour” with a visit to a Heritage Farm in Dewitt and an Ottumwa roundtable discussion about recent health clinic closures and the impact on the community.

At Hunter Farm in DeWitt, Josh heard from the Hunter Family about what the unrelenting tariffs and a reckless Middle East war – both of which have been backed by Ashley Hinson – are doing to their margins, in addition to Washington’s plan to import 300,000 metric tons of foreign beef, threatening to undercut Iowa’s cattlemen. At a time of unparalleled uncertainty due to shrinking markets, sky-high input prices, and rampant consolidation, Josh is committed to being an unwavering champion for Iowa farmers in the U.S. Senate.

“There are so many price increases that folks don’t think about: a fence post that cost $5.00 30 years ago is up to $17.00 now, fly spray for our cows used to be $17.00, now it’s $30.00. Diesel is nearly $6.00 at the Kwik Star in town,” said Charlie Hunter. “And now, with 300,000 metric tons coming in, all it’s going to do is help the packer put cheap meat in with the good meat, and then they’re still going to sell it at the same price.”

“Being a farmer is a vicious cycle. I’ve lived through multiple farm crises, but even when I didn’t agree with the leadership in Washington, I felt they understood the importance of agriculture. Now, it feels like the people in Washington are forgetting about us,” said Charles Hunter, an 86-year-old farmer.

At today’s roundtable discussion in Ottumwa, Josh spoke with patients and providers about the impact of clinic closures on their ability to access affordable health care. Over the last year, the closure of multiple Ottumwa health care clinics has led to a disparity in health care for Iowans throughout the region. Health care centers across the state are pointing to the Hinson-backed Medicaid cuts as their reason for closure. As someone who underwent 21 surgeries before the age of 12, Josh has firsthand experience navigating the healthcare system and deeply understands how important it is for Iowans to have accessible, affordable health care – no matter where in Iowa they live.

“The shock has worn off about the [MercyOne] clinic closure. Although not long after that, River Hills closed its clinic. So there’s been two clinics closed because of the extending Medicaid cuts. There was a gap of about four months when people didn’t know what was going to happen. And there are still gaps,” said Dr. Peter Reiter, a former physician at the now-closed MercyOne Clinic in Ottumwa.

“When they closed down that facility, it totally crushed me. I went home and cried. I said, ‘What do I do? What are we going to do? Where do I go?,’” said Bobbie Preston, a patient who lost care for special treatment after the MercyOne clinic closure in Ottumwa.

“We had a physician who said to us, ‘You need to move somewhere. You would need to move to a larger metro area to have healthcare.’ And I can appreciate what they’re saying. On the other hand, I don’t want to live in those areas, and I appreciate the social benefits and the cultural benefits of small rural communities,” said Mary Stewart, a retired educator whose husband needed to be airlifted for life-saving surgery because no surgeons were available in her community.

“We’re the richest country on Earth. We’ve got billions of dollars right now to send to Iran for an unnecessary war. Meanwhile, we’re closing schools and roads and hospitals and farms here in Iowa. I believe that healthcare is a human right and that’s what I’m going to fight for because I’m seeing Iowans all across the state, and far too many of these rural communities in particular, that are struggling with healthcare,” said Josh Turek. “Where you live should not decide if you live.”

From now until Election Day, Josh will continue his “go everywhere” approach to meet Iowans across the political spectrum where they are and hear directly from folks about how corrupt politicians like Ashley Hinson have failed them and their communities.

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