A Dozen Iowa Nursing Homes Have Closed Due To Finances

(West Des Moines, IA) — A dozen Iowa nursing homes have closed in the past seven months for financial reasons. Iowa Health Care Association president and C-E-O Brent Willet  says like any industry, nursing homes face rising operating costs — but cannot raise daily and monthly rates because those are set by the government for Medicare and Medicaid patients. Willet says it means families and patients seeking long-term care have fewer options. At least 45 percent of Iowa nursing homes are limiting or freezing admissions due to a lack of staff according to a recent survey by Willet’s organization. He commented during Friday’s episode of “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.