Congressional Leaders are asking for tougher requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities that will affect the quality of life for more than a million nursing home residents in the years to come
In a recent letter to CMS, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, Congressional leaders asked for tougher regulations in nursing homes across the country.
The letter, addressed to CMS Acting Administrator Andrew Slavitt, highlights critical issues that ensure care and safety for this vulnerable population.
Staffing Requirements:
Congress urges CMS to mandate 24-hour RN coverage and require that a facility employ at least one RN 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide direct care, assessment and resident monitoring.
Antipsychotic Drugs:
The letter states, facilities report they are currently administering antipsychotics to over 281,000 residents. An estimated 88% of these residents have dementia and face a significantly increased risk of death from taking these drugs, according to FDA warnings.
Congress is asking for the right to be free from chemical restraints is fundamental tenet of the Reform Law, and the final nursing home regulations should meaningfully address the pervasive misuse of antipsychotics and other types of psychotropic drugs.
The letter also addresses, Binding Arbitration Clauses and Transitions of Care and states these are a few critical issues that some Congressional Leaders believe must be resolved as CMS promulgates changes that will have a significant and lasting effect on the safety and well-being of millions of current and future nursing home residents, as well as the integrity of the publicily funded programs that pay for a majority of nursing home care.
Read more – https://morningconsult.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Final-Letter-to-CMS-on-LTC-Rule-July-2016.pdf