🌱 Patch AM: Could a Medicaid rule change cut vital therapy for Marion kids?

Hi Marion! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Could a Medicaid rule change cut vital therapy for Marion kids?

Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Rain, then snow late, with a high of 45 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
• Monday: Windy; turning sunny, colder, temps: high: 17, low: 7.
• Tuesday: Clouds and sun; not as cold, with a high of 31 and low of 27 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Iowa Medicaid billing change could slash payments for pediatric therapy, Linn County provider warns (thegazette.com) — A Marion mother warns her young son’s hard‑won speech progress could be at risk as an Iowa Medicaid billing change threatens to sharply cut payments to his Hiawatha pediatric therapy clinic. Local families and providers say limiting reimbursement to a single short visit per day may force shorter sessions, fewer Medicaid patients, or even clinic exits from Medicaid, especially hurting rural and Marion‑area kids needing early intervention.
   

📸 Around Marion

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Marion

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Monday January 5

• Junior Varsity Girls Basketball - Marion vs Washington
  Washington High School
  5:00 pm
• Varsity Girls Basketball - Marion vs Washington
  Washington High School
  6:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• Varsity Boys Wrestling - Wrestling Quad
  Beckman Catholic High School
  5:30 pm
• Junior Varsity Boys Swimming - Iowa City West vs Cedar Rapids Washington
  Washington High School
  6:00 pm
• Varsity Boys Swimming - Iowa City West vs Cedar Rapids Washington
  Washington High School
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 8

• Junior Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Cedar Rapids Jefferson
  Jefferson High School
  6:00 pm
• Varsity Boys Swimming - Cedar Rapids Washington vs Cedar Rapids Jefferson
  Jefferson High School
  6:00 pm
• Junior Varsity Boys Basketball - Marion vs Linn-Mar
  Linn-Mar High School
  7:00 pm

📣 Marion Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 28

• Sunday Bingo at NewBo City Market
  NewBo City Market , 1100 3rd St SE , Cedar Rapids
  12:00 pm
• Fresh Conversations
  Hiawatha Public Library , 150 W Willman St , Hiawatha
  1:00 pm
• Ukulele Club
  Marion Public Library , 1101 6th Ave , Marion
  2:00 pm
• Sunday Social
  CSPS , 1103 3rd St SE , Cedar Rapids
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Marion PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I've lost my dogs, they went missing Christmas day in the evening, just before it got dark.
  One is a boy and he is short, chunky, and tan. The other is a large brindle, she is dark and tall. If found please call at 559-691-0237. We are new… (Nextdoor Sunburst)

• Fareway Stores, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Clerk in Marion. Apply here.
• O'Reilly Auto Parts posted a job opening for Store Manager in Training in Marion. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Marion here.

🗞 Nearby News

Hiawatha

• Vet hospital sues insurance company over policy exclusion definition of ‘animal' (kcrg.com)

Cedar Rapids

• How to properly dispose of Christmas trees, lights across Eastern Iowa (kcrg.com)
• Alzheimer's Association Iowa offers tips for a comforting, supportive holiday season (cbs2iowa.com)
• KXEL Morning News for Fri. Dec. 26, 2025 (kxel.com)

Ok Marion! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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