Tag: Nursing Homes

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‘This man is literally dying’: Photos of nursing home residents trigger $1,000 fine

Gary Dickson

A nursing home in Algona, Iowa, was fined $1,000 for unauthorized sharing of videos and photos of residents, including a derogatory caption. State inspectors found multiple violations related to resident privacy and care quality. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about privacy violations affecting vulnerable nursing home residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments. Continue reading ‘This man is literally dying’: Photos of nursing home residents trigger $1,000 fine

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More than 50 Iowa nursing homes have agreed to repay taxpayers $13.9 million

Gary Dickson

More than 50 Iowa nursing homes owe nearly $14 million in unpaid fees related to Medicaid. Payment plans have been established for most, with debts expected to be cleared by September 2025. Major debtors include Accura Healthcare and Pacifica Health Services, both under scrutiny for financial violations affecting operations. Continue reading More than 50 Iowa nursing homes have agreed to repay taxpayers $13.9 million

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‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation

Gary Dickson

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing found abuse at Good Samaritan Home in Holstein and Living Center West in Des Moines. The Living Center West failed to prevent the sexual exploitation of a resident, while the Good Samaritan Home’s video footage showed a CNA abusing a resident with dementia. Other nursing homes were also cited for abuse. Continue reading ‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation

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‘This is scandalous:’ Auditor asked to examine $10.7 million owed to taxpayers

Gary Dickson

Iowa nursing home companies owe over $10.7 million in unpaid fees, with one company’s executives making significant political donations. The state lacks enforcement authority to collect these fees, leading to concerns about misuse of Medicaid reimbursement funds. Advocates are calling for an investigation to ensure proper use of additional revenue and to address the industry’s lack of compliance. Continue reading ‘This is scandalous:’ Auditor asked to examine $10.7 million owed to taxpayers

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Iowa nursing homes owe taxpayers $10.7 million in unpaid fees

Gary Dickson

49 Iowa nursing homes owe taxpayers over $10.7 million in unpaid fees, utilized to boost Medicaid reimbursements. Some for-profit companies, like one in West Des Moines, owe substantial amounts while their executives make political donations. Amid the non-payment issue, questions arise about frontline caregivers’ pay increases. State action and bankruptcy filings underscore the complexity of the situation. Continue reading Iowa nursing homes owe taxpayers $10.7 million in unpaid fees

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Iowa care facilities cited for resident abuse, lack of safe environment

Gary Dickson

Summary:
Multiple Iowa nursing homes are facing fines for resident abuse and safety violations. The Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen was fined for a serious safety violation, while other facilities were cited for neglect and abuse. The state is taking enforcement action to ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents. Continue reading Iowa care facilities cited for resident abuse, lack of safe environment

Healthcare, Iowa, Justice2 Comments

State-certified caregiver charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

Gary Dickson

A state-certified caregiver has been arrested and charged with sexually exploiting a minor while employed by an Iowa nursing home.

The most recent case, and the only one in which criminal charges have been filed, involves Guider’s employment at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona.

Over the past 12 months, Martell Guider, a 36-year-old male certified nursing assistant, has been the subject of complaints regarding a series of alleged incidents involving sexual impropriety at three Iowa nursing homes located in Audubon, Correctionville and Kalona. Continue reading State-certified caregiver charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

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Long-term care committee’s work translates into legislative success

Gary Dickson

Out of the 12 recommendations made by an interim legislative committee studying the sustainability of long-term care in South Dakota, most passed the legislative process.

That’s a clear success, said committee co-chair Sen. Jean Hunhoff, R-Yankton. Legislators were challenged last year to produce recommendations that would pass through the process, something that summer studies have struggled with in years past. This year’s legislative session ended last week, except for a day on March 25 to consider vetoes. Continue reading Long-term care committee’s work translates into legislative success

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Republicans and Democrats offer competing solutions in Iowa Legislature to nursing home ‘crisis’

Gary Dickson

Democratic state lawmakers are pushing legislation to increase state oversight of nursing homes while Republican legislators are advancing a bill that could reduce such oversight.

Both initiatives are being advanced now due to a spate of deaths and serious injuries tied to regulatory violations in Iowa nursing homes. Republican lawmakers say the situation calls for a more “collaborative” approach to enforcement, while Democrats argue the state isn’t being tough enough on violators. Continue reading Republicans and Democrats offer competing solutions in Iowa Legislature to nursing home ‘crisis’