More nursing home oversight needed

Profit-driven nursing home chains increasingly neglect and abuse Iowa seniors and people with disabilities, and Gov. Terry Branstad's actions to deregulate the industry are making it worse. Trial attorneys do everything in our power to hold these facilities accountable when their negligence leads to premature death and serious injury. Yet, there has been little to no accountability for Branstad's actions.

The state is responsible for providing oversight to protect nursing home residents. There are nursing home inspectors and senior abuse prosecutors, but not nearly enough of them. When Branstad took office in 2011, he immediately cut one-quarter of the inspectors and half of the prosecutors. Why? He thought they were too aggressive. The governor thinks those who abuse Iowa seniors and the disabled deserve a gentler approach.

Another level of oversight comes from Iowa's long-term care ombudsmen. They watch for violations of federal safety regulations in nursing homes. The Institute of Medicine recommends 27 ombudsmen to serve Iowa's more than 50,000 nursing home residents. We have eight. Yet, Branstad recently vetoed a bipartisan bill that added two much-needed ombudsmen.

With less oversight, the conditions of Iowa nursing homes will further deteriorate. As a result, more seniors and people with disabilities will suffer serious injury and preventable death. Iowans deserve better.

Pressley Henningsen

Cedar Rapids

Attorney, president,

Iowa Association for Justice