Restore state workers who protect the elderly in Iowa
25 Comments
- FILED UNDER
- Opinion
- Register Editorials
Learn more
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has many responsibilities. The most important: regulating more than 700 nursing homes and assisted living centers. Vulnerable seniors and their families expect the state to inspect these facilities and respond to complaints of neglect and abuse.
How well the state does that can mean the difference between life and death for elderly Iowans.
That's why the recent actions of the agency's new director, Rod Roberts, should scare the heck out of anyone who plans on growing old. Or anyone with an aging loved one who may need care in a facility.
How well the state does that can mean the difference between life and death for elderly Iowans.
That's why the recent actions of the agency's new director, Rod Roberts, should scare the heck out of anyone who plans on growing old. Or anyone with an aging loved one who may need care in a facility.
During his first weeks in office, Roberts chose to eliminate 12 staff positions in nursing home oversight. Ten were inspectors. Two were attorneys who prosecute homes for violations that include abuse.
Cuts put Iowans at risk
Iowans need to send a message to Roberts and his boss, Gov. Terry Branstad: Your job is to protect older Iowans who are frequently sick, frail and can't protect themselves. That requires state workers. Find the money - perhaps the Medicaid fraud control fund - to restore cuts. Lawmakers must adequately fund the agency going forward.
Cuts put Iowans at risk
Iowans need to send a message to Roberts and his boss, Gov. Terry Branstad: Your job is to protect older Iowans who are frequently sick, frail and can't protect themselves. That requires state workers. Find the money - perhaps the Medicaid fraud control fund - to restore cuts. Lawmakers must adequately fund the agency going forward.
During a meeting Thursday with Des Moines Register writers, Roberts said his agency's budget shortfall is the only reason for the cuts in workers. In the "health facilities" division of the agency, the shortfall for the current fiscal year is about $240,000. It's potentially at least $470,000 for next fiscal year.
But Roberts isn't actively lobbying lawmakers for additional funding. He said he takes "a different approach" with lawmakers than some other agency directors - informing them about his budget rather than fighting for the dollars.
But Roberts isn't actively lobbying lawmakers for additional funding. He said he takes "a different approach" with lawmakers than some other agency directors - informing them about his budget rather than fighting for the dollars.
"Do you want more money for your agency?" an editorial writer finally asked.
"I would prefer that there be more money," he said.
He should insist on more money - loud and clear. Because if the director of an agency responsible for the welfare of vulnerable people isn't doing that, who will? Shortfalls on paper result in putting real Iowans living in real nursing homes at real risk.
Cuts mean loss of federal dollars
Also, cutting nursing home oversight staff saves the state little money - the equivalent of about 5 cents per person in a state of 3 million people. But the loss of federal matching dollars is huge.
"I would prefer that there be more money," he said.
He should insist on more money - loud and clear. Because if the director of an agency responsible for the welfare of vulnerable people isn't doing that, who will? Shortfalls on paper result in putting real Iowans living in real nursing homes at real risk.
Cuts mean loss of federal dollars
Also, cutting nursing home oversight staff saves the state little money - the equivalent of about 5 cents per person in a state of 3 million people. But the loss of federal matching dollars is huge.
The two attorneys Roberts eliminated were part-time. Funding their positions would have cost the state $6,500 in the remaining four months of the fiscal year 2011 and about $16,000 next year. Eliminating 10 of the state's 38 nursing home inspectors only saves the state about $125,000 annually. But cutting these positions means Iowa loses hundreds of thousands of federal dollars that paid a big chunk of those salaries.
It doesn't make good budgetary sense. And it leaves the impression that Roberts and the governor who appointed him are really trying to reduce oversight of senior living facilities.
It doesn't make good budgetary sense. And it leaves the impression that Roberts and the governor who appointed him are really trying to reduce oversight of senior living facilities.
That would be in keeping with concerns Gov. Branstad expressed during his campaign about state inspectors being too tough on facilities. Regulators can't be too tough if there aren't enough of them to oversee homes and respond to complaints from Iowans.
This state has twice the percentage of residents in long-term-care facilities as the national average. In recent years Iowa has struggled to meet federal requirements for nursing home inspections. The number of complaints about homes continues to grow.
This state has twice the percentage of residents in long-term-care facilities as the national average. In recent years Iowa has struggled to meet federal requirements for nursing home inspections. The number of complaints about homes continues to grow.
Iowa must protect those who can't protect themselves. It's the law. It's the right thing to do. But it won't happen if the work force responsible for oversight is decimated. Iowans should tell the governor and Roberts to get their priorities straight. And the two men must advocate for vulnerable seniors.
