Last week, the Department of Justice announced the launch of 10 regional Elder Justice Task Forces to “bring together federal, state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and agencies that provide services to the elderly, to coordinate and enhance efforts to pursue nursing homes that provide grossly substandard care to their residents.” One of the 10 regions is the Northern District of Iowa. Grassley made the following comment:
“Ensuring quality nursing home care takes a lot of work and focus from the nursing homes and from federal, state, and local governments. I welcome the Justice Department’s attention. Existing federal and state standards to protect patients and taxpayer money have to be upheld. The Justice Department hasn’t offered much detail on why it chose part of Iowa for its special focus. If these task forces find problems in Iowa, I want to know about them, and so do the people of Iowa, so we can work on a solution. If Iowa expertise is helpful to the cause, I welcome that.”
