Under Kim Reynolds’ leadership, Iowa ranks second from the bottom among all states in terms of quality of mental health care, largely due to the state’s lack of beds for treatment. And Reynolds’ actions have only made this problem worse.
As Lieutenant Governor, she supported closing several mental health centers in Iowa. Patients died after being transferred from these closed facilities. And the bungled privatization of the state’s Medicaid program has put access to mental health care even more in jeopardy for vulnerable Iowans.
“Iowans concerned about access to mental health services in the state should be deeply alarmed by Governor Kim Reynolds’ shameful record on this issue,” said Iowa Democratic Party Spokesperson Tess Seger. “We need a governor who will step up and lead, not one whose fiscal mismanagement and misplaced priorities make it even more difficult for Iowans to access the care they need.”
BACKGROUND
In June 2016, Iowa was the Second Worst State for Mental Health in the U.S. According to WQAD, “Iowans have a long list of things to be proud of, but the quality of mental health services doesn’t make the cut. […] Iowa now ranks 49th in the nation with just 64 state-run mental hospital beds. Utah, Mississippi, Arkansas and Kansas, all similar in population to Iowa, have four times and in some cases eight times the amount of state beds available.” [WQAD, 6/15/16]
In 2015, Branstad Closed Two Iowa Mental Health Centers. According to the Des Moines Register, “Gov. Terry Branstad had the authority to close two state mental hospitals, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Thursday. […] Branstad drew fierce criticism for his decision last year to close the two state mental hospitals. He contended the facilities represented an outdated way of institutionalizing people with mental illnesses, and he said private agencies could provide the same services more effectively and efficiently. But his critics contend he moved too quickly, without ensuring adequate replacement services were available for fragile patients with complicated combinations of mental and physical ailments. Three former longtime patients of the Clarinda hospital died shortly after their transfers to private nursing homes, fueling the criticism.” [Des Moines Register, 11/10/16]
In 2015, Three Men Died After Being Transferred from One of the Facilities to a Nursing Home. According to the Associated Press, “Branstad and the Iowa Department of Human Services which oversaw the mental health facilities were further criticized after three men from the Clarinda facility last year died within weeks of the state’s transfer of them to a private nursing home.” [Associated Press, 11/10/16]
In 2014, Branstad Closed the Iowa Juvenile Home. According to KCCI, “Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says he stands by his decision to close the Iowa Juvenile Home despite criticism from legislators. […] Branstad closed the facility in Toledo on Jan. 15 following allegations that teens were improperly treated and denied a proper education. The home housed some of Iowa’s most troubled girls.” [KCCI, 1/31/14]
- Branstad and Reynolds Issued a Joint Statement in Support of the Iowa Juvenile Home Closure. According to the Cedar Rapids Gazette, “The governor’s office issued statement Monday afternoon backing the DHS action, saying alternative placements in licensed or accredited settings would better serve the education and care needs of the vulnerable young Iowans served by the Iowa Juvenile Home. ‘Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds first priority has always been the health, safety and education of the children at the Iowa Juvenile Home and State Training School for Girls,’ according to a statement issued by Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht. ‘Gov. Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds support the Department of Human Services moving forward in the best interest of the children living at the Iowa Juvenile Home and fully implementing the Iowa Juvenile Home Protection Task Force recommendations. Children should not face the stigma of a ‘placement of last resort,’’ according to the statement.” [Cedar Rapids Gazette, 12/9/13]