Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has called for a national
investigation into the way states handle complaints of poor nursing care. He
acted after receiving a serious complaint regarding a nursing/rehab center from
a constituent.
The senator said that an investigation into a negligence
claim by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals was "wholly
inadequate." Sandra Bickley, the daughter of a nursing home resident,
complained because she believed her mother was poorly treated in a nursing
home in Waterloo, and the department found no problems with the care.
Grassley is asking the Government Accountability Office
to look at all state agencies like the Iowa Department of Inspections and
Appeals and how they respond to nursing home related complaints. He also is
asking the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to give him four years
of reports dealing with state inspections.