09/25/2025

DoJ Dismisses Appeal in Iowa Case on Staffing Mandate

Last week, the Department of Justice dismissed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) appeal in an Iowa case contesting the nursing home staffing mandate rule. This marks the end of the case that was launched in Iowa’s Northern District by 20 state attorneys general and 21 LeadingAge state affiliates, including LeadingAge Ohio. 

Attorneys General were compelled to file suit against the Biden-era rule, noting that individual states would be charged with footing the bill for the change, given their governance of state Medicaid programs. Similar to the Texas case launched by AHCA and LeadingAge, the plaintiffs argued that the rule exceeded the Administration’s authority. 

Read past coverage of the suit in this LeadingAge serial post. Questions may be directed to Susan Wallace at swallace@leadingageohio.org. LeadingAge Ohio would like to express its gratitude particularly to attorney Anna St. John who represented the LeadingAge state affiliates, as well as to colleagues in South Carolina, Kansas and Iowa who were instrumental in leading this contest forward.