MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa — Democratic State Rep. Sue Cahill of Marshalltown sent State Auditor Rob Sand an audit request after the Iowa Veterans Home made staffing changes.
In July, the Iowa Veterans Home posted on Facebook that it was eliminating 11 positions and transitioning another four from full-time to part-time.
"We're getting questions from the community, the employees, veterans. How can we take this to another level? And get an official look at what is going on," Cahill told Local 5 News.
When contacted on Wednesday, the Iowa Veterans Home said there had been "disinformation" spread regarding the staffing changes because it had promoted three employees and simultaneously created new positions as well. Those new positions were filled by a "majority of the affected staff."
The Veterans Home also said the new changes will provide better "direct care" for its veterans, and added it's in full cooperation with the audit request.
Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs communication specialist Karl Lettow sent Local 5 the following statement on Wednesday:
Our people are what make Iowa Veterans Home the greatest place in Iowa for our veterans and spouses. Thanks to them, we’ve achieved and sustained a 5-Star CMS (Center for Medicare and Medicaid) rating since 2016, meaning IVH has been in the top 10-percent of long-term care facilities in the U.S. for eight straight years. Any change we even consider, must improve our home for our residents and staff.
The auditor's office told Local 5 News it was reviewing Cahill's request and will make a determination on how "to ensure Iowa's veterans receive the highest level of care and tax dollars are spent as intended."
For Cahill, she wanted to be transparent, and ensure the Iowa Veterans Home is creating the best space possible for veterans.
"I hope we find nothing here," she said. "I hope that the tables are clean, that everyone has acted properly and then we can say: 'Great, let's put all those questions to rest.'"
In 2023, the Iowa Veterans Home said there were "no discrepancies" when the state received its results of its annual state audit.