Bird fails Iowans in nursing home crisis

Iowa Capital Dispatch reported on the death of a Mason City nursing home resident due to a staffing shortage at the facility. This article marks just one in the publication’s almost weekly reporting on the state’s growing nursing home crisis.

Violations have cost Iowa nursing homes fines totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. Violations include resident neglect, injuries, and deaths, staffing shortages, subpar care, and unpaid taxes.

Amid this climate of life-threatening negligence, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird joined other states in suing the federal government over a minimum staffing regulation. The suit argues that the new regulation will put already struggling facilities out of business.

It’s no surprise Republican AGs side with corporations over the well-being of our most vulnerable residents. Time and again, small-government conservatives buck any regulation meant to protect people in favor of shielding corporate profits.

Maybe nursing homes that can’t provide quality care shouldn’t be in business. Which is better? A community with no care facility or a facility where residents die from neglect?

Maybe nursing home administrators should invest the money paid in regulatory fines on improving resident care.

This isn’t about statistics or money spent. These are our parents and grandparents whose care we entrust to these facilities. And they are failing us.

Iowans don’t need Brenna Bird putting our lives at risk. We need a leader who puts our safety ahead of corporate and personal interests.

Let’s remember this when AG Bird is up for re-election in 2026. Then let’s vote accordingly.

Gordie Felger

Hiawatha