A recent illness and stay in a local hospital’s Critical Care Unit (CCU) served as a stark reminder of how my vulnerability was linked to the excellent health care workers and various professionals at a local hospital. Direct Care Workers (DCWs) often experience not only economic insecurity and vulnerability, but also poor physical, mental, and emotional health due to the demands of their jobs and burnout. The Iowans they serve can become vulnerable when access is hindered by workforce shortages and lack of resources.
