A new report has found the state’s nursing homes are facing significant financial challenges — and there’s been an 11-percent decline in the workforce for Iowa’s senior care services since the start of the pandemic.
The report is from LeadingAge Iowa, a group that represents non-profit assisted living centers, home health care services and nursing homes. Nearly eight out of ten Iowa nursing home managers say they’ve used temp agencies to fill staffing gaps.
The report from LeadingAge Iowa found operating costs for providers of aging services increased 16-percent during the past two years. The revenue from patient care, however, rose less than half that amount. The Medicaid program pays for the care of over half of Iowa nursing home residents, but an analysis by the Iowa Health Care Association indicates Medicaid’s reimbursement rates fall about 20-percent short of actual costs. If Medicaid rates aren’t raised, the report from LeadingEdge Iowa concludes there will be an unprecedented wave of nursing home closures.
Last year, 17 nursing homes in Iowa closed, including the Good Samaritan Society in Newell, and Morningside Care Center in Ida Grove. Since the beginning of THIS year — five more Iowa nursing homes have announced plans to close.
(thanks to Radio Iowa for contributing)
