Iowa lawmakers fail nursing home residents

The failure of majority Republicans to pass legislation this year addressing myriad problems plaguing Iowa nursing homes — low wages, staff turnover and insufficient oversight and atrocious stories of poor care — is nothing short of legislative malpractice.

According to reporting by The Gazette’s Tom Barton, 14% of Iowa’s 422 nursing homes have been found to have insufficient staffing by the Centers for Medicare Services. The national average, according to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, is 5.9 percent. Just five other states did worse in complying with federal staffing requirements.

Upcoming federal staffing mandates will mean 43% of Iowa nursing homes won’t be following the rules. All that’s at stake is the care and safety needs of aging Iowans.

Staffing and pay, clearly are major problems. But the only bill pushed by Majority Republicans to address staffing was a gift to the nursing home industry. The legislation would have capped what staffing agencies could charge nursing homes for temporary nurses filling staffing gaps. The bill passed to House but did not receive consideration from the Senate.

When nursing staff from a facility quit to seek employment as a higher-paid temp, that’s simple economics. Capping rates ignores the real problem. Nursing home interests argued the $22 million saved by the bill could be pumped into higher wages. But there were no guarantees.

Those of us who have helped a loved one pay four and five figure monthly rates wonder where does all that money go?

Senate Democrats filed legislation intended to increase oversight. Another Democratic proposal would have gradually raised the minimum wage for direct care workers from $15 per hour in 2025 to $20 per hour in 2030. Democrats also proposed increasing residents’ Medicaid allowance.

None of the bills were considered by majority Republicans.

Ignoring wages, turnover and oversight will not solve problems. And Iowa does mot exist in a vacuum.

Minnesota’s Legislature approved legislation creating a Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board, including industry representatives, government officials and workers. At the end of April, the board voted to increase the minimum wage for nursing home workers to $23.49 per hour in 2027.

In Illinois, nursing home workers with experience would receive annual raises, up to $6.50 per hour for workers with six years of experience. Home care providers are currently lobbying the Legislature for a $20 minimum.

So in the race for talent, Iowa may be watching an exodus of workers crossing the border for higher pay/ Iowans and their loved ones deserve better care and a more responsive Legislature.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com