Des Moines — Iowa state Sens. Claire Celsi and Janice Weiner released the following statements regarding Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand’s new report on Iowa’s failure to meet federal nursing home inspection mandates.

“The auditor’s report released today validates with cold, hard data what we’ve known for months: Gov. Reynolds’ administration is failing to protect seniors in Iowa nursing homes,” Sen. Claire Celsi (D-West Des Moines) said. “Iowa lags behind our neighbors and the country as a whole on key indicators of nursing home resident care and safety. In a state where reports of abuse, neglect, and unnecessary death are a regular occurrence, the consequences of these failures couldn’t be more obvious.”

“The data revealed by the state auditor today is simply unacceptable,” Sen. Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City) said. “We must do better as a state, which is why Senate Democrats have put forward a comprehensive plan to ensure safety, support, and accountability in Iowa nursing homes. Iowa’s seniors cared for us, and it is past time for us to care for them.”

Senate Democrats’ legislative package includes four bills providing a comprehensive approach to improve the quality of long-term care across Iowa and address instances of abuse and neglect.

At the center of the package is Senate File 2304, which increases oversight and requires new transparency and accountability standards for long-term care facilities – ensuring regulators can adequately monitor nursing homes, enforce state law, and issue meaningful penalties for violations to help ensure residents are better protected.

“Senate File 2304 alone would go a long way toward correcting the failures revealed in the auditor’s report,” Celsisaid. “Republicans have so far failed to join us in advancing these commonsense reforms that will address an ongoing crisis in our senior care system.”

Other elements of the package include legislation-expanding alternatives to nursing home care for Iowa seniors; increasing pay for direct care workers to address staffing issues and increasing the personal needs allowance provided to residential care facility residents through Medicaid.

More about the package:

Oversight, Transparency, and Accountability in Long-Term Care: SF 2304

• This bill creates a new Long-Term Care Facility Safety Council, adding citizen review and input into the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing’s oversight of Iowa’s lowest performing care facilities.
• The bill requires more regular facility inspections, stiffer penalties for violations, and hires 30 additional nursing home inspectors.

Alternatives to Institutional Long-Term Care: SF 2306

• The bill launches a robust study of alternatives to institutional long-term care led by a group of advocates. The study will review innovative models for elder care in effect in other states and identify paths forward for Iowa.
• This bill invests in alternatives to institutional care, including home health care, adult day care, and dementia care specialists to enable Iowa seniors to stay at home.
• The bill also expands the Return to Community pilot program to provide coordinated care for Iowans following hospitalization so they can return home, rather than enter and remain in an institutional care facility.

Supporting the Direct Care Workforce: SF 2305

• This bill establishes a $15/hour minimum wage for direct care workers that will rise to $20/hour over a period of years and then match inflation. Increasing the wage offered to direct care workers will help attract direct care workers to Iowa, retain current workers, and encourage younger Iowans to consider entering the profession. The minimum wage is contingent on Medicaid reimbursement rate increases.

Ensuring Independence and Self Care for Residents: SF 2303

• The Iowa Medicaid program currently includes a $50/month personal needs allowance for long-term care residents who rely on Medicaid. That allowance has stayed the same for 20 years, despite rising costs of living. This bill raises the allowance to $85/month, allowing residents to purchase self-care items and live more independently in long term care facilities.

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Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque) has issued the following statement in response to Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg’s resignation announcement. 

“I am keenly aware of the unique requirements demanded of public servants and the constraints those requirements put on the time we are able to spend with loved ones,” Jochum said. “Stepping away from public life is never an easy decision, but I commend the Lieutenant Governor in choosing to focus his time and efforts on his family.”

“I thank Lt. Governor Gregg for his dedicated service to the people of Iowa these past seven years,” Jochum said. “I wish him and his family well as he begins his next endeavor.” 

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Des Moines — Iowa State Sen. Claire Celsi (D-West Des Moines) issued the following statement regarding recent reports on unpaid fees owed by nursing facilities to state agencies.

“Iowans expect accountability and oversight when it comes to taxpayer dollars and enforcement of our state laws, especially when it comes to nursing home care. 

The reports regarding unpaid quality assurance fees are just another example of why we need change that brings better oversight of these facilities, and better care for their residents. Ten years is far too long for Iowa taxpayers to wait on these facilities to pay what they owe. 

In addition to introducing a comprehensive package to address nursing home safety last session, Senate Democrats called for Government Oversight committee meetings to discuss the ongoing nursing home crisis in Iowa. Republicans have failed to address these issues in any meaningful way, but they have a chance next session to join with Senate Democrats and do the right thing.”

Sen. Celsi is the ranking member of the Senate Oversight Committee.

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Des Moines — Iowa state Sens. Izaah Knox and Sarah Trone Garriott released the following statement in response to the news of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ waiver request to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) 2025 SUN Bucks program, which provides food aid for hungry kids.  

“Rather than participate in the existing efficient program with proven effectiveness, the Governor has asked the Federal Government to instead fund an entirely new and untested proposal,” Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, D-West Des Moines, said. “The governor’s proposal raises more questions than it answers.”

“Today’s press release offers very little detail about how such a statewide food distribution effort would be accomplished. I’ve been a part of local efforts to distribute meals and food boxes – it’s very complex. It is a huge undertaking, requiring so many staff, volunteers, vehicles, and sites. It is more cost-effective to mail EBT cards worth $120 for Iowa families to spend at their local grocery stores.”

“This summer, food pantries across the state have been overwhelmed by record numbers of families needing assistance. It’s time for the Governor to listen to those who are doing the work of helping their neighbors in need and apply for the 2025 SUN Bucks program. Even though this first deadline has passed, it is not too late for our state to take part.” 

“The need is real, I see it every day in my line of work,” Sen. Izaah Knox, D-Des Moines, added. “Last month, our food pantry served 1,900 visitors – and food insecurity in our state needs to be meaningfully addressed.” 

“I look forward to continuing to work with our state government leaders on their summer food waiver application to the USDA, and will do everything I can to get this new program off the ground successfully for summer 2025 and potentially year-round in the future.” 

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Des Moines – Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum released the following statement regarding the six-week abortion ban going into effect July 29.

“The ban on abortions as early as six weeks of pregnancy will have serious ramifications to Iowans’ health and future,” Sen. Pam Jochum, D-Dubuque, said. “Senate Democrats stand with the majority of Iowans who support safe and legal access to abortion.”

“In the face of this injustice, Iowans must stand up to attacks on their basic freedom and privacy – and they’ll have an opportunity to do so this November at the ballot box.”

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Des Moines — Iowa State Senator Herman Quirmbach released the following statement regarding State Auditor Rob Sand’s new report on the Iowa Department of Education’s contracting with Odyssey, the private company that manages individuals’ private-school voucher accounts.

“Senate Democrats knew the voucher scheme Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republican legislators cooked up would take advantage of Iowa taxpayers,” Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said.  “The auditor’s report released today reveals an alarming lack of transparency and accountability from the Department of Education when it comes to the proper stewarding of taxpayer funds.”

Quirmbach added, “Today we learn that Gov. Reynolds and her administration agreed a year ago to double the payments to Odyssey, the private firm administering the voucher program.  The Reynolds administration agreed to the increased payments to Odyssey in July 2023 but did not disclose the required justification until this month.”

“It is bad enough that the voucher program is syphoning hundreds of millions of dollars out of our public schools, but now we find that the Reynolds administration low-balled the estimated payments to the private company running the program and hid the cost increase until the State Auditor forced the disclosure.  Reynolds has broken faith with the public’s trust on both education and stewardship of taxpayers’ money,” Quirmbach concluded.

Quirmbach is the Ranking Member on the Senate Education Committee.

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Des Moines – Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum released the following statement regarding Friday’s Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the Republican-passed state law banning abortion after 6 weeks. 

“June 28 will be remembered as a tragic day in Iowa history,” Jochum, D-Dubuque, said. “With today’s Supreme Court ruling, a small group of extreme Republican politicians and activist judges have violated nearly two centuries of tradition in Iowa – eliminating fundamental rights rather than expanding them and attacking personal freedom rather than defending it. 

“Extreme anti-choice Republicans are obsessed with controlling Iowans’ lives and dictating their personal health decisions. And today, an activist court used its power to enforce that restrictive ideology rather than applying common sense, legal precedent, and the Iowa constitution.

“With this ruling, Iowans’ healthcare options are being decided by politicians rather than doctors. Iowans’ futures will be chosen for them. Many Iowans will suffer because of this ruling, and some will die because of it. 

“Senate Democrats stand with the majority of Iowans who support safe and legal access to abortion. This despicable and dangerous ruling cannot be the last word on reproductive rights and personal freedom in Iowa. Activist judges and anti-choice Republicans cannot be allowed to control Iowans’ lives. 

In the face of this injustice, Iowans must stand up to attacks on their basic freedom and privacy– and they’ll have an opportunity to do so this November at the ballot box. Extreme Republicans must pay a political price for ignoring the will of the people and trampling on fundamental rights. 

“Finally, this ruling is also a warning for Iowa’s future. If extreme Republicans and activist judges are willing to reject clear public sentiment to undermine longstanding rights, then no other freedoms are secure either. What rights will they come for next?”

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Iowa state Sen. Nate Boulton released the following statement in response to announced layoffs at the Bridgestone-Firestone Des Moines Plant: 

“My thoughts are with my friends and neighbors in eastern Polk County today who are losing their jobs due to layoffs at Bridgestone-Firestone’s Des Moines plant,” Iowa state Sen. Nate Boulton, D-Des Moines, said. “Our first priority as a state is to ensure workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own receive every possible service and benefit to get back on their feet and care for their families. We have to take care of and look out for each other as Iowans.” 

“These layoffs will have real effects on hardworking families,” Boulton said. “I’m here to listen to their needs and work with union leaders to get them the support these workers need during this challenging time.”

“While I appreciate the efforts Bridgestone has already taken to minimize the harm caused by these involuntary layoffs, I implore them to do right by these workers now and into the future,” Boulton said. “I’m hopeful that the company looks for more opportunities to work with Steelworkers local 310L and these employees from here on out.”

Boulton represents east Des Moines, Berwick, Altoona, Pleasant Hill, and southwest Ankeny.

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