Congressman Dave Loebsack visited the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella on Wednesday.

His stop included a tour of COC’s Facility-Based Employment program and a presentation about the end of sheltered employment, managed care, Medicaid waivers, and the Disability Community Act of 2016. Loebsack tells KNIA/KRLS News he was able to meet with COC employees and the people they serve through their many programs who may be effected by a federal rule that would remove sheltered employment services in 2018.

“That’s going to put a number of those folks out into the community and they might not be able to do the kind of work that they need to do, they may have to stay at home” he says. “That’s the dilemma that we’re facing here–we all want these people here who are learning skills and working, we all want them to be part of the community, but they don’t always necessarily have the skills to go out and work in the community outside of this setting here.”

The congressman will continue to represent Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District following his reelection in November.