Trump Administration Eases Nursing Home Fines in Victory for Industry
- 6 years ago
Trump Administration Eases Nursing Home Fines in Victory for Industry
Janet Wells, a consultant for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, said the changes come as “some egregious violations and injuries to residents are being penalized — finally — at a level
that gets the industry’s attention and isn’t just the cost of doing business.”
In November, the Trump administration exempted nursing homes that violate eight new safety rules from penalties for 18 months.
In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services discouraged its regional offices from levying fines, even in the most serious health violations, if the error was a “one-time mistake.” The centers said
that intentional disregard for residents’ health and safety or systemic errors should still merit fines.
David Gifford, the American Health Care Association’s senior vice president for quality, said daily fines were intended to prompt quick remedies but were pointless when applied to past errors
that had already been fixed by the time inspectors discovered them.
Dr. Kate Goodrich, director of clinical standards and quality at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a statement
that unnecessary regulation was the main concern that health care providers raised with officials.
Janet Wells, a consultant for California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, said the changes come as “some egregious violations and injuries to residents are being penalized — finally — at a level
that gets the industry’s attention and isn’t just the cost of doing business.”
In November, the Trump administration exempted nursing homes that violate eight new safety rules from penalties for 18 months.
In October, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services discouraged its regional offices from levying fines, even in the most serious health violations, if the error was a “one-time mistake.” The centers said
that intentional disregard for residents’ health and safety or systemic errors should still merit fines.
David Gifford, the American Health Care Association’s senior vice president for quality, said daily fines were intended to prompt quick remedies but were pointless when applied to past errors
that had already been fixed by the time inspectors discovered them.
Dr. Kate Goodrich, director of clinical standards and quality at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said in a statement
that unnecessary regulation was the main concern that health care providers raised with officials.