Tragedy must lead to reforms
Michael Brevda
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Photo illustration by Jeff Boyer / Times Union
New York is making national headlines for the wrong reason. Nursing home negligence is pervasive in every corner of the state. However, out of this tragedy springs an opportunity for real change.
In the wake of the unacceptably high casualties in New York’s nursing homes, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has promised “sweeping nursing home reform.” Here are some options we see in other states which can usher in real change in New York’s long term care industry. Amplifying civil damages for negligence: Most of these for-profit facilities have a focus on profits over people, and this is getting worse as more private equity funds are buying nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Many of these facilities only care about one thing: money. If the state does not economically dis-incentivize bad nursing home care, these facilities will not change.
Note: Abuse citations include violations for failing to investigate and report potential abuse.
At homes whose five stars masked serious problems, residents developed bed sores so severe that their bones were exposed. Others lost the ability to move.
But the most important impact may be that the nursing home industry was ill equipped for the pandemic. The rating system allowed facilities to score high grades without upgrading the care they provided.
“They were working to improve their ratings, but not their quality,” said Charlene Harrington, who sits on a board that advises C.M.S. on the ratings system.
“The problems with the five-star system left these homes less prepared in the pandemic,” she said. “They were allowed to not have enough staffing, and they were allowed to ignore infection-control deficiencies, so they had poorer quality than the public knew about, and they were in the worst position to manage Covid.”
Democratic push to revive earmarks divides Republicans
KEVIN FREKING, Associated Press
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1of2FILE - In this June 4, 2020, file photo, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., speaks during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. A dirty word for many Republicans is making the rounds on Capitol Hill earmarks. For nearly a decade, both chambers of Congress have abided by a ban on earmarks, or spending requested by a lawmaker to fund a specific project or institution back home. But Democrats are moving to bring back the practice, leaving the GOP lawmakers divided over how to respond.(Al Drago/Pool via AP, File)Al Drago/APShow MoreShow Less
Nursing homes eye new normal after decline in COVID cases
NASSIM BENCHAABANE , St. Louis Post-Dispatch
March 13, 2021
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LAKE SAINT LOUIS, Missouri (AP) The barrier separating Kathy Miller from her mother was transparent enough that it was practically unnoticeable.
It was the first time in nearly a year that Miller was able to enter the Cottages of Lake Saint Louis nursing home to see her mother, Clestean Stroud, 91. Under the plexiglass shield, Miller and her son Jeremy touched their shoes to Stroud’s leopard print slippers, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
“You knew the barrier is there but you really feel like you’re there with her,” said Miller, of Dardenne Prairie, after the visit. It just brings hope.