Iowa governor: Tip from Ashton Kutcher led to testing deal

Iowa’s goverr said state’s $26 million contract to increase coronavirus testing was reached after she acted on a tip from actor Ashton Kutcher, a revelation that increased skepticism about -bid deal.

Critics of Gov. Kim Reylds said y were puzzled by celebrity’s cameo in Iowa’s outbreak response, particularly when state has been slow to tap some of its own experts.

Reylds, a Republican, said she recently called Kutcher, an Iowa native, to ask him to record a public service anuncement urging residents to stay home.

Kutcher asked wher she’d heard about TestUtah, a public-private partnership recently launched to increase testing, Reylds said. actor told her “it looked very promising and it looked like or states should potentially take a look,” goverr recalled.

Kutcher, a tech investor, volunteered that he h a friend working for one of TestUtah contractors and offered to arrange a meeting. Reylds said she spoke with Kutcher’s associate and her aides soon connected with office of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.

“We were able to start that conversation and ramp it up relatively quickly,” Reylds said.

Last week, Iowa signed a $26 million contract with mi Health, a virtually unkwn Utah startup that says it’s developing a “modern payment system for healthcare.”

Under contract, mi Health will supply 540,000 coronavirus tests to Iowa over next six months. Its partners include Utah-based Co-Diagstics, which recently received federal approval to sell COVID-19 testing kits, and tech firms Qualtrics and Domo.

companies will also run TestIowa website where residents take voluntary assessments to determine wher y qualify for testing and set up testing appointments.

Kutcher, a venture capitalist, is t an investor in firms, his publicist said.

It wasn’t immediately clear which Kutcher friend was involved. But he has ties to Qualtrics CEO Ryan Smith, whose company is providing Iowa’s online assessment tool and has previously worked with state.

In a Qualtrics news release, Reylds said company’s product will save lives by helping Iowa monitor virus and determine where to put testing sites. Smith called deal “an example of way we all need to come toger to fight this virus.”

Reylds launched a #TestIowaChallenge campaign on Twitter urging residents to complete assessments, which ask for personal health and contact information. goverr challenged Kutcher, who recorded a promotional video. More than 80,000 people completed assessments in first 24 hours.

contract requires mi Health to safeguard confidential assessment data and eir return or destroy it when program is over.

program aims to roughly triple Iowa’s testing capacity by ding 3,000 tests per day, which will be conducted at mobile sites around state. first testing will begin Saturday in Des Moines.

Reylds revealed Kutcher’s role when asked why she didn’t consider Iowa-based institutions or companies for contract. Minnesota is partnering with University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic for statewide testing.

goverr said deal “has an Iowa touch.”

Kutcher grew up in Cedar Rapids, gruated from high school in Tiffin and became a model while attending University of Iowa. He hit it big on “That ’70s Show” before starring in movies such as “Valentine’s Day” and “ Strings Attached.”

Critics questioned why goverr took input from Kutcher but doesn’t appear to have consulted top Iowa experts on testing contract.

“Mr. Kutcher seems like a great guy but t sure what public health expertise he brings for vising our pandemic response,” said Democratic Sen. Joe Bolkcom, who has faulted goverr for failing to protect workers during pandemic. “But if he’s available, maybe he can go inspect meatpacking plants.”

state reported Thursday that Iowa’s coronavirus death toll has risen by six to 96 and that 282 infected residents were hospitalized. Half of de are residents of long-term care facilities, Reylds said.