Culver said, “As governor, I am committed to making sure our state makes full use of the federal economic recovery program in order to benefit all Iowans. This Web site is one tool to help Iowans learn about the benefit of this important program, track the work underway to make the best use of these funds and provide accountability and transparency about this important effort.”

Nearly 30 percent ($550 million) of the total stimulus money will be coming in through increased federal matching dollars to Iowa’s Medicaid program. The increased federal funding will allow the state to shift dollars from Medicaid to other parts of the state’s struggling budget without making cuts to the Medicaid program.

The Web site will track where the money is going, and the governor said it will be regularly updated with summaries of the estimated direct federal assistance to Iowa, tax benefits to individuals and businesses and links to state and federal agencies that relate to the economic recovery.

According to the governor’s released statement, the Web site will soon include a “dashboard” that will not only provide detailed information on the distribution of funds but also the economic impact of the funds.

A working group, comprised of two dozen state agencies, is currently reviewing federal rules and developing a plan on how Iowa can make the best use of these one-time stimulus funds. Other sites tracking stimulus funds at the federal level are www.hhs.gov/recovery and www.recovery.gov.

IHA will continue to monitor the stimulus package and provide information as it becomes available.