Government : Dawn Pettengill among legislators honored by long term services and supports pro

Representative Dawn Pettengill was among a group of state legislators honored by the Iowa Health Care Association (IHCA) and Iowa Center for Assisted Living (ICAL) in appreciation of their outstanding service in support of quality long term services and supports for Iowans. The IHCA ICAL Outstanding Service Award presentations took place at 65th annual IHCA ICAL Convention and Trade Show on September 28 and 29 held in Des Moines. The convention was attended by approximately 1,000 long term services and supports administrators, owners, nurses, and dietary, activity, environmental and social services staff, as well as, business associates from all across Iowa. The legislators recognized on September 28 were Democrat Representatives Chris Hall and Mark Smith; and Senators Mike Gronstal, Pam Jochum, Liz Mathis, Amanda Ragan. Recognized on September 29 were Republican Representatives Brian Best, Chris Hagenow, Dave Heaton and Linda Miller; and Senators David Johnson and Mark Segebart. Others recognized, but unable to attend, were Democrat Representatives Lisa Heddens, Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, and Senators Joe Bolkcom, Bob Dvorsky, Matt McCoy; Republican Representatives Dan Huseman, Dawn Pettengill, Chuck Soderberg and Linda Upmeyer; and Senator Bill Dix. “These legislators truly understand the importance of adequate funding of services for the frail and elderly citizens of Iowa,” said Steve Ackerson, IHCA President/CEO. “With state budget challenges and the transition to managed care on the horizon, their legislative actions are critical to the more than 42,000 Iowans served each year in the long term services and supports continuum of nursing homes, assisted living programs, residential care facilities and home health agencies.” IHCA ICAL, located in West Des Moines, are nonprofit trade associations representing more than 700 nursing homes, assisted living programs, home health agencies, residential care facilities and senior living communities in Iowa. They are affiliated with the American Health Care Association, the National Center for Assisted Living and the National Association for Home Care and Hospice. For more information on long term services and supports in Iowa, visit www.iowahealthcare.org<http://www.iowahealthcare.org>.