Nuesing Home Transparency

Nursing Home Transparency—Title IV, Transparency and Program Integrity
The Nursing Home Transparency provisions in America’s Healthy Future Act are based on the recommendations of consumers, regulators, prosecutors, the Government Accountability Office, and the HHS Office of Inspector General. The no-cost requirements would bring greater transparency and accountability to nursing homes, which receive over $75 billion a year from Medicare and Medicaid, and improve the government’s capacity to oversee the quality of care provided by corporations that control chains of facilities. The legislation would also enable American families to be better-informed when choosing a nursing home and empower them to be stronger advocates for their parents, spouses, and other loved ones with long-term disabilities. We urge you to pass Nursing Home Transparency without amendment.

Amendment #37—Elder Justice (Senator Hatch and Senator Lincoln)
Among other provisions to improve the nation’s ability to combat elder abuse, the Elder Justice Act mandates reporting of crimes against residents in long-term care facilities; provides for adequate notice and relocation planning for residents when nursing homes close; and improves training of long-term care ombudsmen, who investigate resident complaints. This legislation was passed by the Finance Committee in the 110th Congress.

Amendment #84—Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention (Senator Stabenow)
This amendment would support states in developing a system to conduct national background checks on employees of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and home health agencies. It would extend a seven-state pilot in which over 9,500 applicants were identified as having serious criminal or abuse records that caused them to be denied employment with long-term care providers. The legislation is urgently needed to ensure that workers who abuse or exploit the elderly do not cross state lines to obtain employment.

We deeply appreciate your support.

Mandatory Arbitration

What it means to you if you or a family member is entering a nursing home or assisted living center,do not sign papers that require mandatory arbitration in the event of a dispute.
Ask that any arbitration provisios be stricken from the contract.