Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Transparency in Nursing Homes (What a concept!)

NCCNHR: The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care



Action Alert!!!



Now You Can Call Toll-Free to Ask Your Senators to Support

The Most Important Nursing Home Quality Legislation in 20 years!



1-866-544-7573



The Service Employees International Union (United for Quality Care) is sponsoring this toll-free line for you to ask your Senators to support S. 2641, the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act. Please call NOW!



To Make Your Call

Dial 1-866-544-7573. After a brief message about the bill, you will be asked to press "1" to be connected to a Capitol operator. Ask for your senator's office. (Senators are listed in order by State on the Senate website, if you need to find their names.) When the senator's office answers, identify yourself and say:



"Please ask Senator ______ to co-sponsor S. 2641, the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act. The bill is sponsored by Senators Grassley and Kohl. Nursing home residents and their families in [our state] are strongly supporting this bill."





To Get More Information About S. 2641

You can get more details about the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act on the NCCNHR website, www.nccnhr.org. See our Fact Sheet or click here to download the Text of S. 2641.



S. 2641 Will:

* Provide the public information about who owns and operates nursing homes; nurse staffing levels and turnover rates; penalties for poor care; and how much they spend on nursing and other costs.

* Require annual audits and independent monitoring and sanctions for chains with chronic problems

* Increase civil monetary penalties, including fines up to $100,000 when a resident dies from neglect or abuse.

* Require facilities to pay fines into an escrow account while they pursue appeals.

* Strengthen complaint processes.

* Require facilities to give 60 days notice before they close, and continue Medicare and Medicaid until residents are relocated.

* Provide for studies of temporary management, Special Focus Facilities, culture change, and training of nurse aides and supervisors.



Call 1-866-544-7573 Now!

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