I read an article online recently which reports on the plan initiated by the Dubuque Retirement Community to give up its state license in order to avoid state regulation. Dubuque is treating the initiative as a pilot program which may be expanded to other Iowa care facilities. Dubuque, Iowa’s largest assisted living center, will give up its license September 14, 2009 and become an unregulated retirement home. The residents’ medical services will be provided by home health agencies, one of which is unregulated and owned by the facility’s parent company.
The move concerns industry officials and senior citizen advocates because the move allows the company to deliver the same care to the same residents but without annual inspections, state oversight or sanctions for inadequate care.
You can read the full story online here.