Complaint Review: Iowa State Department of Inspections Appeals and Licensing

I am a 74 year old woman, who used to live in Iowa.  I had the unfortunate experience to enter the Emergency Room of the Jackson County Regional Hospital AKA Jackson County Public Hospital on April 18 and 19, 2023.

Most hospitals are basically good and truly care about the Well Being of patients.  However, this hospital is like the Bad Apple in the Basket of Apples.

In short, I was poorly treated, kept by false imprisonment, given drugs to restrain me, never told me anything, refused me a phone call, and gravely violated my Civil Rights.

I was not able to get any respect, appology, nor resolution to my horrible experience.  I have been fighting this matter for over 14 months now.

I have done many things that so, far, have failed to help.  Medicare, Livanta, Lawyers, etc, have not helped me.

It is my strong opinion that both Medicare and their 2 Quality of Care Entities, Kepro and Livanta are all IN BED with this hospital.

In desperation, I called the office of US Senator, Joni Ernst.  Her office was kind to me and tried to help me by contacting THE IOWA STATE DEPT OF INSPECTIONS, APPEALS AND LICENSING.  This was back in late February, 2024.

I was contacted by a worker named James B.  Quite frankly, this James B. did NOT seem interested in my serious problem with the hospital.  In fact, he seemed like he was only contacting me because Senator Ernst's office asked him to.  He did say that he could DO AN IN PERSON INVESTIGATION AND INTERVIEWS WITH HOSPITAL STAFF.  HOWEVER, FIRST HE HAD TO GET PERMISSION FROM MEDICARE.  

I thought that ODD, but on March 4, 2024, I sent a very detailed to him, along with copies of certain documentation. He did confirm receipt of the complaint on March 20, 2024.  On April 8, 2024 I called James B. to seek an update.  TO MY COMPLETE SHOCK, MR. JAMES B. TOLD ME (ALMOST HAPPLILY) THAT MEDICARE CMS IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI REFUSED TO ALLOW HIS OFFICE TO CONDUCT ON INVESTIGATION.

I began quizzing him.  Did you get a letter?  He replied NO JUST A COMMUNICATION.  I asked him, What kind of communication?  HE FAILED TO REPLY.  I asked him What is the name and contact information of the Medicare person whom you spoke to.  HE REFUSED TO GIVE ME THAT INFORMATION - CITING SOME SORT OF "BS" PRIVACY POLICY.

I was very angry and called back the Office of Senator Ernst, whose staff - to this very day - June 17, 2024 - is still trying to get a reply from Medicare in respect to the refusal of the investigation on my behalf.

I also called the main number of the Iowa State Dept of Inspections, Licensing and Appeals, demandng to know why the investigation of the hospital was refused such an investigation.

I get a phone call from some Registered Nurse, at this Dept. named Renee A.  This Renee A. was completely useless to me.  She refused to tell me who in Medicare Mr. James B. spoke to.  Refused to divulge any information to me.  Seemed very UNCONCERNED AND UNCARING.

This Renee A. even had the nerve to tell me that YOUR COMPLAINT DID NOT RISE TO THE EXPECTED LEVEL FOR INVESTIGATION.

I was enraged and yelled at her.  WHAT, EXACTLY IS THE LEVEL ONE HAS TO RISE TO IN ORDER TO GET HELP FROM YOUR STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY?   She said NOTHING in Reply.

I did call back this Mr. James B. a few days later.  To my surprise, he did actually answer the phone.. 

Dear Readers, Both James B. and Renee A, told me that THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MEDICARE DECISION NOT TO ALLOW ANY INVESTIGATION.

THIS TURNS OUT TO BE A BIG LIE!

When I spoke last time to Mr. James B, HE ADMITTED TO ME THAT BOTH HIMSELF AND SOMEONE FROM MEDICARE, CMS IN KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI HAD A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION ABOUT MY COMPLAINT AND CASE AND BOTH OF THEM AGREED NOT TO ALLOW ANY INVESTIGATION.

I was livid and very angry.  NOW, IT IS PROVEN THAT THERE IS COLLUSION WITH BOTH THE IOWA STATE DEPT OF INSPECTIONS, APPEALS AND LICENSING AND MEDICARE - ALL AGAINST ME - A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Dear Readers, all of this is Beyond Belief.

I am writing up this report to let you all know, from this experience and other similar experiences I have had with valid complaints to State Governments, this one fact\

MOST STATE GOVERNMENTS FAIL TO HELP THE CITIZENS.  THEY ONLY PRETEND TO TAKE COMPLAINTS.  HOWEVER, IN THE END, THEY OFTEN SIDE AGAINST THE CITIZEN.

THIS IS A RIP OFF IN THE HIGHEST ORDER AND A TRAVESTY OF INJUSTICE TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

If there is any lawyer out there or Investigative Journalist, who is reading this report and wants to help.-  I ask you to contact me via this website

Thank you,

No Justice for Older Women in Iowa