Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wisc.) introduced a bill on Wednesday that would improve the quality of care in nursing homes and help families make informed decisions about care.
The Improving Quality of Care in Nursing Homes Act (S. 3407) is under review by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) commended the bill and Feingold "for not accepting the status quo and fighting for a system that will ensure America's nursing home residents can receive the highest quality care possible."
AAHSA President and CEO Larry Minnix said the bill, if passed, would require the Institutes of Medicine to study nursing home care and the federal and state nursing home oversight system. The IOM would then provide recommendations for any necessary improvements.
According to Minnix, the IOM review would focus on issues in nursing home oversight and quality standards enforcement identified by the Government Accountability Office. It would also address concerns that members of the Wisconsin Association of Homes and Services for the Aging shared with Feingold.
According to WAHSA Executive Director John Sauer, the provider community "fully embraces Senator Feingold's efforts to evaluate the nursing home survey and certification system."
"The current system too often impedes comprehensive quality improvement initiatives while at the same time hampering the ability of nursing home regulators to target facilities with frequent and serious care issues," Sauer said. "Our hope is that the IOM study will encourage innovative regulatory reforms and enable the system to recognize facilities that provide exemplary care and services."
Feingold has a history of legislative work on behalf of seniors. On May 3 he was awarded the 2010 Advocacy Award from the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Association for his work to combat Alzheimer's disease.