Iowa Republicans Block Bill to Allow Nursing Home Cameras

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For the sixth consecutive year, Iowa's Senate Republicans have quietly and secretly killed a bill that would allow families to install video cameras in the rooms of their loved ones living in nursing homes. The bill aimed to improve accountability and quality of care by giving families the ability to monitor their relatives' wellbeing, but Republican lawmakers have repeatedly blocked the measure after pressure from nursing home industry lobbyists.

Why it matters

Allowing cameras in nursing home rooms is seen as a common-sense step to enhance transparency and quality of care, as 20 other states already permit. However, the powerful nursing home industry in Iowa has opposed the measure, fearing it would expose inadequate staffing, poor training, and other issues at poorly performing facilities. The repeated failure to pass this legislation highlights the industry's influence over Republican lawmakers and the lack of accountability in the state's long-term care system.

The details

The proposed bill would have protected the right of nursing home residents and their loved ones to install video cameras in rooms, as long as the resident and any roommate gave permission. This would allow families to remotely check on their relatives' wellbeing and ensure they are receiving proper care. However, a group of seven Republican state senators met privately and decided to kill the bill again this year, denying public input and a full legislative debate and vote.

• The bill has been proposed and defeated in the Iowa legislature for the past six years.
• The latest version of the bill was killed in February 2026 by a private meeting of seven Republican state senators.

What’s next

Advocates for the camera legislation hope that the next Iowa governor will make nursing home quality and accountability a priority, using the power of the office to push the legislature to pass the bill allowing cameras in resident rooms.