Some Politicians Are Pressuring State Regulators To Keep Nursing Homes Open
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You would think state legislators would be on the side of vulnerable nursing home residents. According to a recent story by Clark Kauffman in the Des Moines Register, you could be wrong. At least one Iowa state representative allegedly exerted pressure to recertify a facility. The problem was, the facility had been the subject of at least $21,500 in fines for its neglect of residents.
Mr. Kauffman's story concerns ManorCare Nursing Home, located in West Des Moines, Iowa, and West Des Moines state senator Pat Ward. Apparently, Senator Ward telephoned Dean Lerner, the head of Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and told him ManorCare was providing a "very high" level of care and urged Mr.Lerner "to recertify it as quickly as possible." Unfortunately for Senator Ward, at the very moment he was on the telephone with Mr. Lerner, inspectors were at ManorCare. Those inspectors were in the process of compiling a list of additional violations, which would result in $500 in fines. The article indicates this is was not the first time an Iowa politician had interfered in an inspection of a nursing home facility.
Mr. Kauffman also references a U.S. Government Accountability Office report from 2009. According to Mr. Kauffman, the GAO believed "legislative pressure and other factors were contributing to nursing home inspections that minimized the problems found in care facilities through the nation. Seven states told the GAO that pressure from the industry or from state legislators might have compromised their entire inspection process."
Shouldn't your state legislators be on the side of those who need it the most? I ask you, who needs protection more: ManorCare or its residents. The answer, at least to me, is obvious. The residents of ManorCare deserve the protection of strong legislation and independent inspectors who hold facilities accountable for neglectful conduct. Is Idaho one of the seven states that complained to the GAO about political pressure? I will investigate and get back to you.
At the end of the day, it is up to all of us to hold our state legislators accountable. If they are not in favor of protecting nursing home residents, let them know you do not approve. This is truly a subject where the state legislator is either "for" nursing home residents, or "against" them.
