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Senate Investigates Quality of Nursing Home Care

August 2003

The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on July 17, 2003 to discuss the quality of care at the 17,000 nursing facilities across the United States. Medicare and Medicaid provide over $60 billion in funding to these facilities yearly. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has requested a $6.9 billion increase over 10 years. Senator Charles Grassley, chairman of the Finance Committee feels the funds should be targeted for quality improvements not for profitability or increases in salary.

In the hearing's closing statement, Senator Grassley state, "…if nursing homes are getting $6.9 billion more, I expect them to use that money to improve patient care. That means not using the money to increase profits, or double the administrator's salary. More money should result in better care. It's as simple as that."

Senator Grassley outlined a plan of action which included, but are not limited to:

  • Continued efforts to oversee the Administration's implementation of initiatives to improve quality of care.

  • Chairman of the Finance Committee continuing to aggressively monitor nursing home quality.

  • Continue independent investigations by the Finance Committee.

  • CMS must create a timeline for maintaining efforts to fully and effectively implement recommendations made by the General Accounting Office (GAO).

  • GAO to design a survey to discover under-reporting and "white washing" of findings by supervisors.

  • CMS must immediately address critical reporting errors by state survey agencies.

  • CMS must re-examine its resident assessment procedures to ensure proper assessments and corresponding care plans that are carried out.

  • CMS must post valid, reliable, and accurate information to their web site.

  • Refer nursing homes with history of harm to residents for immediate sanctions.

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