SENATE APPROVES BILL PROTECTING NURSING HOME PATIENTS
Bill Now Goes to President for Signature
WASHINGTON -- The Senate tonight gave unanimous approval to a bill 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.
The Senate bill (S. 494) 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. The House approved the bill on March 10.
"Sixty-eight percent of all nursing home residents eventually end up on Medicaid. Our bill protects these vulnerable senior citizens and individuals with disabilities from finding themselves evicted. The bill goes 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. "This bill is a modest but important proposal that will promote the peace of mind of millions of Americans. I urge the President to sign 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.
The legislation requires that nursing homes withdrawing from the Medicaid program 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.
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