AARP Urges Lawmakers to Pass Nursing Home Reform in Massachusetts

AARP Massachusetts is urging legislators on Beacon Hill to pass comprehensive nursing home reform. AARP testified in a public hearing Monday, April 10th in favor of House Bill No. 648 and Senate Bill No. 379 An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care. AARP continues to fight to make sure nursing home residents receive safe, high-quality, care.

AARP Massachusetts State Director Mike Festa and Volunteer State President Sandra Harris testified before The Joint Committee on Elder Affairs in favor of the bills that will help thousands of Massachusetts Residents living in long term care facilities.

“COVID-19 exposed the chronic, ongoing issues in the Commonwealth’s nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.” Said Mike Festa, AARP Massachusetts State Director. “Massachusetts most vulnerable residents who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities deserve better than subpar conditions.

Read Mike Festa's testimony here

“AARP has heard directly from thousands of families about what happened to their loved ones in nursing homes—and the accounts are gut-wrenching." said Sandra Harris, Volunteer State President.  "We cannot and will not allow these COVID-19 deaths to be ignored like mere statistics, or simply explained away.

Read Sandra Harris' testimony here

AARP is urging legislators to take action to:

• Better understand why so many long term care facility residents died in Massachusetts’ nursing homes;
  
• Make structural and systemic changes to the long term services and supports system; and
  
• Learn how to prevent the state’s tragic outcomes from ever happening again.
  

The reforms in the House Bill No. 648 and Senate Bill no. 379 An Act to Improve Quality and Oversight of Long-Term Care include:

• Increasing minimum nurse staffing ratios
  
• Enhancing the state's preparedness and response to infectious disease outbreaks
  
• Requiring facilities to develop and implement a written Department of Public Health-approved isolation prevention plan (IPP) and have appropriate technology, staff, and other capabilities in place to prevent residents from becoming isolated during public emergencies;
  
• Creating a pathway to single occupancy rooms in all facilities
  
• Reestablishing the Extended Care Career Ladder staff training grant program
  

Read House Bill No 648here. Read Senate Bill No 379 here

Despite similar bills not making it across the finish line last year, there appears to be momentum this year.

AARP Massachusetts urges the Commonwealth to increase funding and programs for residents to age with dignity and live in their home and community, and to provide additional supports for caregivers, such as the Family Caregiving Tax Credit