March 25,1999

President Signs Roth/Graham/Grassley/Moynihan Bill Protecting Nursing Home Patients

WASHINGTON -- The President today signed a bill authored by Senators Roth, Graham, Grassley and Moynihan designed to protect nursing home patients from eviction. The Nursing Home Residential Security Act of 1999, H. R. 540, requires that nursing homes withdrawing from the Medicaid program continue to care for current residents under Medicaid quality standards for as long as they require care.

In the Senate, the legislation was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, and Senators Bob Graham (D-FL), Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Moynihan (D-NY), on March 2 and marked up by the Senate Finance Committee on March 4. Both the Senate and House approved the bill earlier this month.

"Sixty-eight percent of all nursing home residents eventually end up on Medicaid. This new law will protect these vulnerable senior citizens and individuals with disabilities from finding themselves evicted. This law will go a long way toward assuring residents and their families that they will continue to receive quality nursing home care without fear of inappropriate eviction," Roth stated. "With this new law, we can promote the peace of mind of millions of Americans. I applaud the President for signing it."

Background:

The Nursing Home Residential Security Act of 1999 prevents nursing homes from evicting residents covered by Medicaid if the nursing home withdraws from participation in the Medicaid program. While rare, evictions are devastating to the residents affected. If a facility decides to stop serving Medicaid residents, this bipartisan bill would ensure that current residents do not find themselves removed from their nursing home. Under the new law, nursing homes withdrawing from the Medicaid program will be required to continue to care for current residents under Medicaid quality standards. Facilities would essentially phase-down participation in Medicaid rather than dropping from the program overnight.