Governor Rell: Bill Would Strengthen Monitoring of

Nursing Home Finances and Management

Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that her Administration has given the Legislature’s Public Health Committee testimony in support of her bill to provide greater State oversight over nursing home administration and management, including ongoing financial monitoring and expanded quality of care reviews of nursing homes.

            Senate Bill 845, An Act Concerning Oversight of Nursing Homes, would:

·        identify areas of the state which either need or have a surplus of nursing home beds;

·        create an oversight committee to focus on financial solvency and quality of care issues;

·        enhance the public’s access to important nursing home data;

·        provide for greater oversight by the Department of Social Services when there is an application for a change of ownership;

·        require expanded financial reporting to DSS;

·        require that nursing homes submit quarterly reports of accounts payable to DSS – as unpaid bills are a key indicator of financial health; and

·        provide state regulatory agencies with expanded subpoena authority.

            “Placing a loved one in a nursing home is often a necessary, but difficult decision and family members deserve the peace of mind of knowing that the finances and the quality of care issues of these facilities are closely monitored,” Governor Rell said. “When a nursing home goes out of business due to financial issues, both patients and their families must suffer through the turmoil of a new placement.

            “Nursing homes are an important part of the network of care and services for Connecticut residents and quality of care issues are paramount to individuals who have a family member in a nursing facility,” the Governor said. “We must do everything in our power to ensure a standard of care that instills confidence in the people who are entrusting loved ones to a nursing facility.”