What’s Going On?
Summer Heat: Let’s Apply It to Save Our Nation
The Preamble to the United States Constitution: We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
There is so much going on in this county, state, and nation to destroy democracy. We can fight back to regain the rights and freedoms we are losing and to restore justice and promote the general welfare of all Americans. While it may seem overwhelming, everyone can find a way to help in the battle. Below are listed things you can do and things you should know.
Keep up with current events in Boone County and vicinity: https://www.boonecountydem.com/events
Be a part of the BCD at the Boone County Fair this week: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044EA9A82CAAF85-57529855-boone#/ The fair parade will be Thursday, July 17th. Go to the Boone and Scenic Valley RR parking lot between 4:30-5:00pm (when the parade starts) and look for our newly renovated float with lots of shaded seating.
This Thursday is a also Good Trouble Lives On events day. Events in Ft. Dodge and Ames: https://goodtroubleliveson.org/#attend
Come to our next CC meeting on Tuesday Aug. 6th, 6:30pm at the History Center on Story. We are looking to recruit candidates for off year elections. Have you thought about running for your local school board or city council? Elections are this fall and we can help support you. Watch this Zoom presentation next week: https://www.boonecountydem.com/events/is-running-for-city-council-in-your-future
Every Saturday at 1 pm Boone Voices United has a sign protest on the corner of Story and Mamie Eisenhower. They have signs available so just show up.
SD 1 special election: Help elect Catelin Drey in SD-1 and break the GOP super-majority in the Iowa Senate. This election is very winnable! To learn more about Catelin:
Watch this video from the Rural Iowa Summit held July 13th at Harlan, Iowa, in the Milk and Honey restaurant. https://www.ketv.com/article/western-iowa-democrats-say-they-can-gain-ground-in-rural-iowa/65393054
There were over 150 people on a Sunday afternoon and they were in a fighting mood. Jess Piper (https://jesspiper.substack.com/) energized the crowd and offered ideas how we can save out country.
State Fair volunteer opportunities - The Iowa State Fair is coming up August 7–17, and the Iowa Democratic Party will once again have a booth to connect with voters and show the contrast with Republicans.
Our volunteer sign-up is now live — please share the link with your county networks:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084EADA72DA6FCC07-57435234-iowa#/
Volunteers get a free fair ticket for each shift.
Find a local rally: https://goodtroubleliveson.org/#attend
The Big Bad Bill
The US Senate today passed the BBB, with both of Iowa’s senators voting (unsurprisingly) “yes” despite the majority of Iowans opposing the bill. The bill now goes back to the House.
The American Hospital Association published this analysis of how Iowa Medicaid funding would be affected: 37.7 thousand Iowans would lose Medicaid coverage and hospitals would lose $2,666 million dollars. That is more money than California will lose! Rural hospitals would be disproportionately affected and many likely forced to close.
Aspects of the bill include (with a few egarious parts removed):
Deep cuts to Medicaid, including harsh new work requirements
New Medicare eligibility rules and increased costs for dual Medicaid-Medicare enrollees
Tripling the budget for ICE and Trump’s mass deportation effort
Authorization for the sale of public lands and increased incentives for fossil fuel production removed from bill
Widespread rollback of clean energy tax incentives and climate protections
Unprecedented funding cuts and expansion of work requirements for SNAP
Limits on a court’s ability to issue temporary restraining orders or preliminary injunctions removed from bill
Funding cuts to clinical care services at Planned Parenthood
Funding cuts for gender-affirming care for Medicaid and CHIP recipients removed from bill
Requiring states block all AI regulation for 10 years in order to receive federal broadband funding removed from bill
A $150 billion increase to an already bloated Pentagon budget
A national private school voucher program that diverts funding from public schools and sets up a new tax shelter for the wealthy removed from bill
An increased excise tax on college endowments
Widespread changes to student loan access, protections, and repayment options
Harmful changes to federal worker pay, benefits, unions, and protections against unjust treatment removed from bill
Slashes to funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by nearly 70%
Elimination of a tax on gun silencer sales
Raising the debt limit by $5 trillion purely to fund tax cuts for the wealthy, adding trillions to the national debt.
No Kings, Ever! Help Keep It That Way. Here is what YOU can do:
Picnic, Auction, Speakers
Help make this a huge success by coming to hear
Ryan Melton, candidate for CD4
Rev. Lou Hoger will speak on food insecurities and food bank.
Dr. Austin Baeth, Iowa legislator
Jackie Norris, former chief of staff for Michelle Obama and current DM board of education member.
Scott Foens, IDP Veteran’s Caucus chair
Support us through bidding on a huge number of auction items, enjoy good food and great company, and get fired up for what is to come.
Boone Voices United
No Kings rally, Boone. Time is 3 pm, NOT 1 pm. This is a peaceful demonstration. We oppose the misuse of our military, the oppression of all citizens and other legal residents and the gutting of programs for everyday Americans so that a few can get richer and more powerful. Show up every Saturday at 1 pm (except 3 pm on June 14th)
March in a parade!
We will be joining in parades at Ogden (June 21), Boone County Fair (July 17th), Madrid (Labor Day), and Pufferbilly Days (September 20th)
Municiple and School Board Elections are this Fall
Being on a school board or city council can have a huge impact on policies and the future your community, county, and the state. These elections are non partisan. Also consider applying for positions on boards and commissions at the local and county level. YOU are the government!
Keep making calls!
Let your senators and representative and other governmental officials know you are watching and holding them to account. 5Calls is an easy to use app or website. https://5calls.org/
Picnic for the People
Come to the Herman Bandshell and enjoy pulled pork, sides and drinks. Vegetarian options. Catch up with your fellow Democrats, hear Democrats lay out their vision for a better Iowa and a better America.
Ryan Melton, candidate for CD4
Rev. Lou Hoger will speak on food insecurities and food bank.
Dr. Austin Baeth, Iowa legislator
Jackie Norris, former chief of staff for Michelle Obama and current DM board of education member.
Scott Foens, IDP Veteran’s Caucus chair
If you plan to attend, or possibly will attend, please let us know so we have an idea how much food to fix: https://www.facebook.com/events/9400960469997373/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
The 14th is Flag Day. Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress determined the composition of the nation's banner: “Resolved, That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” Let’s remember what that flag is supposed to stand for!
Don’t forget to end your day by joining the No Kings protest in Boone at the corner of Mamie and Story. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10161601952572297&set=gm.698745999520775&idorvanity=649801764415199
The auction this year will be in person only and features a host of items every Democrat needs:
In addition to what is on the list, we have:
Mark Nystrom pottery
Quilted items
Artwork
Wine basket
Homemade canned goods.
Hope for the Future: BCD Scholarship winners
Penny Vossler, chair of the BCD, presents a scholarship award to Jacob Winter, senior at Ballard Huxley.
One of the best parts of being in the BCD is choosing a scholarship winner, or winners, each year among high school seniors who live in Boone County. This year we were able to award three scholarships. There was a tie for second place, with two awards given: one to Abbey Patel at Gilbert HS and Mason McClain at Boone HS. Both are active members of the community, with incredible volunteer experience and excellent academic records. They should go far!
Our first choice was Jacob Winter, who will graduate from Ballard Huxley. His essay shows how much he understands what real democracy looks like and shows a passion for justice and inclusion. He will start this fall at ISU with a major in biochemistry and plans to stay active in politics. Best wishes to Jacob , Mason, and Abbey! The future is bright.
Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain, as Long as They Protect While Cisgender Men
Multiple bills are in front of the Iowa Legislature, most of which are nightmares in the making. This comes directly from Indivisible 515 and concerns several of the bills:
You usually don’t hear from us unless it is a Sunday newsletter or there is an urgent call to action. This is urgent. We need you THIS WEEKEND. The Iowa Legislature is pushing through some of the most extreme and harmful legislation we’ve seen, and we must show up in large numbers to hold them accountable.
The worst bill yet—HSB242, the Iowa Civil Rights Removal Act—was just released by the House Judiciary Committee. This unbelievably cruel legislation would:
❌ Strip all civil rights protections from transgender Iowans
❌ Implement bathroom and birth certificate restrictions
❌ Erase anyone who doesn’t fit into narrow definitions of “man” or “woman” under Iowa law
‼️This means trans Iowans could be legally denied housing, credit, employment, and more—just for being who they are
But that’s not all. The attacks keep coming:
🚨 A ban on abortion pills (mifepristone). HSB 186
🚨 Attacks on libraries and education. HF 284 SF 235 SF 238
🚨 A push to cut IWILL (Iowa’s conservation trust fund). Senate Joint Resolution 6
🚨 Relentless efforts to undermine our schools
🚨 And SO many more bad bills
💥 WHAT YOU CAN DO:
📍 Show up at forums this weekend—bring friends and fill the room
Iowa Disability Council Calendar
Iowa House Republicans
📸 Take pictures & record video—get your lawmakers on record
📢 Demand answers—ask them where they stand
📧 Contact Republican House & Senate members and tell them to STOP this harmful legislation
Why So Many Bills Are Dropping in the Iowa Legislature Right Now
We’re approaching a key deadline at the Iowa Legislature, which is why so many bills are suddenly moving.
Here’s what’s happening:
March 7 – First Funnel Deadline
By this date, bills must be voted out of their original chamber’s committee (House bills out of House committees, Senate bills out of Senate committees). If they don’t make it, they’re dead for the session—unless they deal with budget/appropriations.
What This Means
Lawmakers are scrambling to push their priority bills forward.
Expect quick-moving subcommittees and committee meetings over the next two weeks.
Some “zombie bills” (bills that missed deadlines) may get revived by attaching them to budget bills, which are always alive.
How You Can Take Action
Be ready to show up at the Capitol to speak if you can!
Follow https://www.facebook.com/IALEGISWATCH for rapid-response calls to action.
Stay alert—things will move fast!
The Next Funnel Date is in April
April 4 – Second Funnel Deadline Bills must pass a floor vote in the chamber where they were introduced and clear a committee in the opposite chamber to stay alive.
🔥 The time to speak up is NOW. If we don’t show up, they will push these bills through without accountability. Stand up for the Iowa you want and for those who cannot stand up for themselves. Now’s the time to make your voice heard. Let’s go! #IALegis #IowaPolitics
Will you be there?
In solidarity,
Your Indivisible Team
About Indivisible Iowa: Indivisible Iowa is a nonpartisan entity that stands for and defends the ideals and rights endowed in the United States and Iowa State Constitutions, which guarantee equality, liberty and justice for all.
Inspired by the Indivisible Guide, Indivisible Iowa functions independently to promote social welfare within the meaning of 26 U.S. Code §501(c)(4), specifically to do the following:
Educate Iowans on political and social issues and the civic process,
Engage in advocacy for political and social issues addressing equality: such as unions, support of science, access to public education and healthcare, living wages, reproductive, social, economic and environmental justice, and all issues relating to the public good, and
Empower members to act with the shared values of inclusion, fairness, equality, equity, justice and respect in regards to race, disability, gender, gender identity, religion, nationality, class, and ethnicity.
All in For Harris and Walz
Bring it home Boone County! Help out these last few days and join us live on Tuesday night!
Countdown to Nov. 5th
We are now at the final few weeks before election. Every vote matters and your help in getting Democrats to the polls matters more than ever.
Our headquarters will be open 4 days per week and you can help in many ways, from just being there to picking up packets and delivering them to Democratic voters. We need to make sure people know the deadlines and have a plan to vote. Our democracy literally hangs in the balance. A poster says vote like it is Germany 1933 and it comes close to capturing the risk our county is under.
We CAN Get Out The Vote (GOTV)
You can help us win in November
One month to election day (Nov. 5th). This is the most important election in years; democracy truly hangs in the balance. Let’s get the childless cat ladies (and gentlemen) to work getting out the vote.
Here is what you can do:
Sign up to work at the headquarters of the Boone County Democrats. Work in the office, make calls, knock doors of Democrats. You can do a variety of things; whatever you feel comfortable doing!
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044EA9A82CAAF85-50767244-boone#/
2. Attend the Brown Woodard award dinner on Oct. 17th. Meet candidates and hear Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party! https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bw2024
3. Post on social media and share our posts. https://www.tiktok.com/@boonecountyiadems
https://www.instagram.com/boonecountydemocrats/
https://www.facebook.com/boonecountydemocratsofiowa
4. If you are a Boone County Resident and are available come to the courthouse on October 16th, 11 am, (first day of early inperson voting) vote and then join us for lunch.
5. Order a T-shirt from Raygun and help support the BCD! https://www.rayguncustom.com/search?type=product%2Carticle%2Cpage&q=boone+county+democrats
Frances Perkins: The New Deal Democrat Who Masterminded the Labor Laws
Frances Perkin, 1933
“I came to Washington to work for God, FDR, and the millions of forgotten, plain, common working men.”
It was Frances Perkins, the first woman to join a presidential cabinet, who was the architect of Franklin Roosevelt’s New Dean labor laws. With her experience and the belief that people had a right to decent pay, benefits, and a safe working environment. She fought for racial and gender equality as well.
She was the main architect of Social Security, minimum wage, child labor laws, the 40 hour work week, and workplace safety laws. She promoted a national health care plan.
This Labor Day let us remember Perkins and her legacy, guided by compassion and, yes, her Christian faith. We have been witness to all sorts of attempts to dismantle or at least water down the good laws she put in place. Let’s fight the good fight and restore and expand the rights of the common citizen!
https://francesperkinscenter.org/
https://aflcio.org/about/history/labor-history-people/frances-perkins
Brown Woodard Award Dinner
The Boone County Democrats are proud to announce the 2024 Brown Woodard Dinner and awards presentation. It is our annual mix of inspiring speeches, great (and mainly local) food, comradery with fellow Democrats and the honoring of the volunteer of the year. This year’s event is Thursday, October 17th at the Leonard Good Community Center in Ogden with doors opening at 5 pm.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bw2024
We are pleased to have IDP chair Rita Hart there to inspire us, as well as our local candidates. Ryan Melton is putting in many miles in CD 4 as he attempts to knock off his shadowy opponent and has even been endorsed by Kevin Virgil, the Republican who opposed Randy Feenstra in the primary. Margaret Liston is running, or at least walking almost every mile, in SD24 to knock Jesse Green off his high horse, and Penny Vossler is trying to make Chad Behn a has been in HD 48. Meanwhile Brian Reimers wants to take all his skill and expertise from the Ogden City Council to the role of county supervisor.
And as VP candidate Tim Walz says, “We don't need more of the same, typical politicians fighting for themselves and for special interests. We need someone to believe in our small-business owners again and someone to champion those folks who play by the rules.”* Republicans are weird.
Agenda
5pm Doors open. There will be beverages available (donations requested). Time to socialize, meet the candidates, talk with old and new friends, and view the auction items (bidding will be online.) 1.
6 pm. Dinner will be served. Most of the food will be sourced here in Boone County! We will have pork roast, green beans almondine, cheesy potatoes, rolls, and apple crisp for desert. For vegetarians there will be a stuffed portabello mushroom entree. Non alcoholic beverages are included.
6:30 pm. Program begins with former State Rep. Donovan Olson as MC. You will hear from our speakers and the winner of the 2024 Brown Woodard Award will be announced.
Tickets are available online (and you can list food preferences once you buy a ticket.) 12 and under are free, but use the ticket form to help us count how many people. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bw2024
The auction will be opened approximately 2 weeks before the event, but bidding will continue until 7:30 that day. Please pick up auction items at the event or make arrangements to have them held or delivered.
*Read more at https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/tim-walz-quotes
Countdown to Nov. 5th: What you can do
There is an old expression that many hands make light work. We need your hands! I would first invite you to learn about the REACH app and add it to your smart phone. (https://www.reach.vote/) Learn about it and use it. You can import your contacts and check with your friends and family to make sure they have a plan to vote. You can add your own plan. Once you have downloaded the app, you can add the Iowa Democratic Party to your “campaigns” and be connected with people and social media. It is free and painless to use! Talking to a few friends or family members and making sure they have a plan to vote could make all the difference in many of our state and county elections.
You can now request absentee ballots from the state. Here is a link to everything you need to know to vote in Boone County: https://boonecounty.iowa.gov/auditor/elections/
The Boone County Democrats would love to have you help us in a way that works for you!
The Madrid Labor Day Parade on Monday, Sept. 2. Meet at Edgewood Park at 9:30. https://www.boonecountydem.com/events/madrid-labor-day-parade-2-y5ywa
The Central Committee will meet on Sept. 3rd. at the History Center at 6:30 pm
The headquarters at 700 Story St. opens that day at 10 am https://www.boonecountydem.com/events/campaign-headquarters-grand-opening.
Volunteer for a shift! https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B044EA9A82CAAF85-50767244-boone#/
Come to movie night! On Sept 15th and have a “reel” good time. You can hear the speakers from the Liberty and Justice Dinner held in July AND have our local and state and congressional candidates there in person. Plus free popcorn!! https://www.boonecountydem.com/events/get-off-the-fence-and-have-a-reel-good-time
Volunteer and Training Opportunities from the IDP for Get Out The Vote (GOTV) and using the REACH app on your phone:
You can find opportunities from Democratic campaigns in your area here: https://www.mobilize.us/
Starting next week, our weekly Reach Trainings will be done together with the grassroots group “Iowans for Harris.” Here is a schedule:
IDP’s Harris for Iowa Reach GOTV Training - Tuesday, Sep 3 at 7pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcof-mhpzIqGNV2I4WxMRIg7sBBcOpjsfmF
IDP’s Harris for Iowa Reach GOTV Training - Thursday, Sep 5 at 7pm: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0rcu6sqTspEtLN9rYUyT-7mv80wtOncKEP
IDP’s Harris for Iowa Reach GOTV Training - Saturday, Sep 7 at 11am: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuceyrqz8qGtPwY-f7nLTpbj1INj3800FV
For those of you working on a campaign the following may be of value:
Bob Ward is also continuing VAN trainings. For the remainder of the cycle, VAN trainings will focus on tools to make your canvassing as efficient as possible:
VAN 101 6:00 pm on September 4
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89745785315?pwd=JHJAGMFiHbLmGXBUdKIVZOwdhbmEwF.1
VAN 102 Turf Cutting 6:00 pm on September 11
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81758840108?pwd=UD1NTJQQx2745WAKRj27m0ajV43CPC.1
VAN 101 6:00 pm on September 17
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85956576001?pwd=LjxRH6zfCEYXQPddYsyFxtQCgUMBKA.1
VAN 102 Turf Cutting 6:00 pm on September 19
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83199781410?pwd=YIqxzkEcEQwwbbtSKOlLDbU2TfyaJo.1
Joe Shelley for HD47
Vote Blue in HD47
Joe Shelley, Perry City Council
Democratic delegates from Dallas, Greene and Guthrie counties convened July 19 for a nominating convention at Sportsman's Park in Dawson to select Joe Shelly as their nominee to run for Iowa House District 47. The District includes northwest Dallas and all of Green and Guthrie Counties. Joe Shelly is a resident of Perry. He is a a semi-retired union pipefitter and currently serves on the Perry City Council and Dallas County Hospital Board of Trustees. Orphaned early in life, Joe started down the wrong path of drugs and crime, but in a prison library Joe discovered a path upward. He earned a union apprenticeship as a pipefitter and began a successful career. Convention Chair, Tom Walton, who is Chair of the Dallas County Democrats, stated, "We are proud to have Joe representing the Democratic Party in Iowa. He is a man of the people who turned his life around and continues to make a difference." Shelly has also been endorsed by Lanan Baccam, Democratic candidate for the Third Congressional District. Shelly's opponent is Republican Carter Nordman. The election is November 5, 2024.
Learn how to help Joe and donate at: https://www.joeshellyforiowa.com/
BCD Scholarship Winner
Emily Kramer, Boone High School Senior, receives scholarship
The BCD gives its congratulations to Emily Kramer, graduationg senior in Boone. Already a business owner and an accomplished dancer, she is ready to head to ISU and major in business. Our wishes to her for a bright and successful future.
Tomatoes: Everything Red Should Be!
The Boone County Democrats were happy to once again provide tomatoe plants for young (and old). In Ogden the age rage was 6 to 96. Folks are excited to have a change to grow their own healthy tomato plants and learn something about gardening. One parent said none of the tomatoes ever seem to make it as far as the house.
Let’s all work to make life better for everyone in Boone County.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Boone County Democrats are again offering scholarships to high school seniors who reside in Boone County. Get the form here: application for scholarship. Forms are due by April 27th.
If you would like to make a donation to the fund: donate here
Caucus Time in January
Enter by the NW doors of the HS. Doors open at 6:30 and you must be inline or fully registered by 7 pm. Because the presidential preference is being held by mail in voting, the entire meeting should last about an hour. Come be part of the change.
Nursing Home Disgrace
NURSING HOME CRISIS
Mary Weaver, Rippey Iowa
The following is a slightly shortend version of a regular column Mary writes for a local newspaper.
I am saddened, as well as shocked by the horror stories erupting statewide about the deplorable, and life taking situations occurring in Iowa nursing homes. In complete transparency regarding this subject, in part of my former work life, I was a surveyor for the Iowa Department of Inspection and Appeals. That involved inspections of State Certified Home Care agencies as well as nursing homes.
The long-term care or nursing home survey team consisted of 3-4 persons and the team was usually in a facility for three or four days. Policies were reviewed, charts were audited, comparing orders written to implementation, interviews with residents were conducted, the ombudsman assigned to the facility was visited, staffing ratios for Registered Nurses and Certified Nurses Aids were reviewed using established formulas. Temperature checks of food served were done at mealtime. It took one day for the team to write the report of the findings, usually a Friday, and the following Monday we were sent to the next facility. Facilities were visited once each year, but unannounced, and if a complaint was received regarding a facility, it was immediately visited.
We were not particularly liked by the administrators or the staff, as we were disruptive to the usual routine and activities. As surveyors we observed, remained neutral, and the reports were written in an objective manner. ACCOUNTABILITY WAS PARAMONT. CARING WAS PRACTICED.
U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, based on fiscal year 2022 data, found that Iowa ranks 49th in the nation in terms of its ratio of inspectors to care facilities. The report also noted the use of contractors is expensive as well as risky. In 2022, Iowa had 46 state inspectors overseeing 414 nursing homes. Some states with a comparable number of homes had twice that many inspectors on staff. Michigan, for example, had 93 inspectors for 433 homes, and North Carolina had 96 inspectors for 424 homes.
CAPITOL DISPATCH reports the pay range for a registered-nurse inspector working for the state of Iowa is $66,600 to $93,800. But the State of Iowa has paid a private nationwide company, CertiSurv, $33,300 per inspection for each facility with 96 to 174 beds. In addition, the company charged the state $40,950 for a single inspection of any nursing homes with 175 or more beds.
In a recent report issued by the Iowa Health Care Association, IHCA, 387 of the 404 nursing homes in Iowa, or 96% of facilities will fail to meet staffing benchmarks recommended by the federal staffing guidelines.
Four Iowa nursing homes have recently been added by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CMS, to the federal list of the nation’s worst care facilities. They join six other Iowa care facilities already deemed eligible for inclusion. Typically, all the homes on the special-focus designation have about twice the average number of violations cited by state inspectors; they have more serious problems than most other nursing homes, including harm or injury to residents, and they have established a pattern of serious problems that has persisted over a long period of time.
Westwood Specialty Care of Sioux City was one recently added to this listing. It is owned and managed by Iowa’s largest nursing home chain, the tax-exempt nonprofit of Care Initiatives, based in West Des Moines. According to tax records, CEO Michael Beal collected a total of $608,638 in compensation from Care Initiatives and its affiliates in 2021.
In a study done by CMS reflects a trend towards private equity firms and other large corporate owners purchasing nursing homes and slashing levels of staff as a way to maximize profits.
Sue Dinsdale of the Iowa Citizens Action Network reports, $800 million of Iowa’s taxpayers are going to Medicaid to care for people with disabilities and the elderly. The reimbursement for the services paid for Medicaid patients has now been contracted to private entities by the State of Iowa.
IHCA, CEO Brent Willett states that for every $1 spent to care for an Iowa Medicaid resident, the system currently reimburses providers 80 cents. In simple terms these private contracted companies need to show a profit to their owners, and frequently do not allow the payment, or delay the payment making the facility reapply and make repeated requests for reimbursement.
Under a recent recommendation from the Biden administration the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing a rule to establish a federal floor for staffing levels, so that nursing homeowners could not slash staffing to unsafe levels. If finalized, the proposal would require every facility to have a Registered Nurse on site 24/7, to have a certain minimum number of registered nurses and nurse aides to help provide routine care, and to staff according to resident needs based on an assessment of the facility’s residents.
CMS, in partnership with the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), has announced a national nursing career pathways campaign. The campaign will help recruit, train, retain, and transition workers into nursing home careers as nursing staff. This plan will invest over $75 million in scholarships and tuition reimbursement. This plan will be implemented during the coming 3-5 years.
But, on November 1st, Governor Reynolds joined with 14 other state Republican Governors to declare the requirements being proposed by the Biden Administration will result in facilities having to close because of the inability to obtain staff.
This is a crisis.
It seems to this writer, the elderly in our society deserve basic human dignity and care in the later years of their lives.
It is time to voice concerns to our State Representatives, Jesse Green, and Phil Thompson.
· Encourage the surplus of 1.83 billion in the State of Iowa to provide
aid to keep long term care facilities open. Work force shortage is more severe in rural Iowa.
· Provide funds for the training of individuals both R.N.’s and Certified Nurses Aids, CNAs, that will result in an increase in the labor force.
· Evaluate the taxpayer funds going to the facility owners to assure dollars are being used to care for residents and not for excess profits to the owners.
· Hold the recently privatized contractors accountable for adequate reimbursement of facilities.
· Accept the requirements and funds being put forth by the Biden administration to improve the care being provided to our elders in Iowa.
VIEW FROM MY WINDOW is written by Mary Weaver, former Registered Nurse, and chair of the Iowa Women’s Democratic Caucus. Mary resides on a farm near Rippey.
Letter From Rita Hart, Chair Iowa Democratic Party
Friends,
I want to say a big thank you to everyone who attended the 2023 Liberty and Justice Celebration this weekend. The L&J is the Iowa Democratic Party’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and we sold out the show with the help of all of you and speakers like Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman, Iowa Auditor Rob Sand, Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst, Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum, Warren County Auditor Kimberly Sheets, Des Moines Public School Board Member Dan Gutmann, and Francesca Turner, DO.
These folks stepped up to tell the story of Iowa Democrats as we work toward a brighter future for our state. We are working tirelessly to restore the right for women to make their own healthcare decisions, to bring parents and teachers together and end the divisiveness Republican leadership has brought to our schools, and build a strong bench of candidates by dedicating more resources to local elections.
Our sold-out event this weekend shows how fired up Democrats are in Iowa, and I can’t wait to continue working with each and every one of you to keep our Party moving in the right direction.
ICYMI: Check out some of the headlines from this weekend’s event:
KCCI: Sen. John Fetterman tells Iowa Democrats not to give up on rural counties
Des Moines Register: Fetterman roasts 2024 GOP candidates as Iowa Democrats rally at fundraiser
WHO13: Fetterman headlines Iowa Democratic Party Annual Fundraiser
We Are Iowa: Iowa Democratic Party Holds 2023 Liberty and Justice Celebration
CNN: Sen. John Fetterman hits the trail in Iowa as he finds his footing again
NPR: Republicans have had most of Iowa’s attention all year. Democrats want to change that
Radio Iowa: Fetterman urges Iowa Democrats to back Biden
The Gazette: John Fetterman advocates for party unity, backing Biden in 2024 at Iowa Democratic Party fundraiser
Yours,
Rita Hart
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Rita Hart
Iowa Democratic Party Chair