Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Legislation introduced in Congress March 20 would transform surveys into a more collaborative process between the government and nursing home providers with a goal toward improved resident care.

The Medicare and Medicaid Nursing Facility Quality Improvement Act of 2002 (H.R. 4030), introduced by Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), would reward excellent facilities and extend a helping hand to those struggling to meet regulatory requirements for quality of care.

Camps bill would enable nursing home inspectors to advise providers on ways to improve services for residents, which current regulations prohibit. The legislation would also shorten the waiting period for resumption of on-site nurse training associated with some survey penalties. Nurse aide training programs could resume as soon as the problem that led to the penalty is corrected and verified by inspectors. Current law prevents facilities from training certified nursing assistants onsite for two years after the problem that led to the prohibition.