Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Legislators attacked Michigan's nursing home standards at a press conference today, unveiling a seven-bill package aimed at strengthening standards and protecting Michigan seniors.

The press conference was held in conjunction with "Old Michiganians Day," a day for senior advocacy at the Capitol. Roughly 500 seniors filled the Capitol, meeting with legislators and attending meetings regarding senior-specific legislation.

The bill package, sponsored by Rep. Kathy ANGERER (D-Dundee) and Rep. Robert JONES (D-Kalamazoo), focuses on three main areas: transparency and ownership, financial capacity and quality standards.

Many of the bills would implement changes that the speakers considered "common sense," such as establishing penalties for employees that provide fraudulent information to investigators and requiring nursing homes owners to prove they have the money for proper funding and care. They also require that nursing homes be properly insured prior to operation and that they notify residents and their families at least 30 days before there is a change in ownership.

Jones and Angerer agreed that one of the culprits behind deteriorating nursing home care is the transfer of ownership to private equity investors, which increases the distance between the owner and the residents. The issue of ownership hit the Michigan stage last year when the Carlyle Group acquired 28 Michigan nursing homes owned by Manor Care. The Carlyle Group is a Washington D.C.-based private equity firm (See "Hearings Held On Nursing Home Sales," 12/06/07).

Angerer, as chair of the House Health Policy Committee, and Jones, as Chair of the House Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee, held joint hearings on the Carlyle acquisition issue last winter.

"When private investors come to Michigan shopping for nursing homes, it is our parents, grandparents, family friends and loved ones who may be adversely affected. We want to make sure that doesn't happened here," Jones said.

Part of the package gives the Department of Community Health (DCH) the authority to decide whether or not to license the corporation purchasing a nursing home.

Rep. Mike SIMPSON (D-Jackson) spoke of two examples of neglect that had been brought to his attention regarding a patient found with ants in her mouth and another patient found sitting in her own waste for five hours after an aide refused to change her. He said this legislation would be a "warning shot" to those operating nursing homes that deplorable conditions would no longer be tolerated.

Allison HIRSCHEL, president of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care, praised the legislation, saying that it "specifically addresses weaknesses in Michigan law."

The bills were introduced in session today.