Boston, Mass. (October 19, 2015) – Healthcare workers and advocates will urge passage of legislation to address growing instability in the Commonwealth’s nursing home industry during a hearing at the State House on Monday, Oct. 19.
Mergers, consolidations and the rapid expansion of nursing home companies have created a series of challenges for Massachusetts’ nursing home industry. The new legislation, “An Act Creating a Special Commission on Institutional long Term Care Services” (S.B. 351/H.B. 521), would create a special 15-member commission to more effectively manage the nursing home licensing, de-licensing and closure process.
The “Special Commission on Institutional Long Term Care” would be responsible for a number of initiatives, including developing policy recommendations relating to nursing home closures, and creating a plan to address excess nursing home beds. It would also reform the licensing and de-licensing processes, along with quality care criteria to assess nursing home beds before they are de-licensed or closed.
“Consolidations, mergers and the expansion of nursing home companies with a poor track record of care are making it more difficult for Massachusetts residents to access quality and affordable care for their loved ones,” said Veronica Turner, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “It’s crucial that quality nursing homes remain a viable option for care, particularly given changing industry conditions and the move toward new long-term care delivery systems.”
The nursing home industry in Massachusetts is in a state of flux, as it faces a variety of closures and funding and regulatory challenges. More than 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts have closed since 2000, despite the need for more care options. Currently neither geographic need nor quality indicators play a major role in closure decisions.
As part of its work, the Commission will tackle the new regulatory structures needed to address complex issues around nursing home ownership, licensing and funding, particularly given that accountable care organizations and other care delivery models will dramatically impact long-term care and future demand.
The bill’s lead sponsors are Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown) and has drawn the support of more than 60 legislators. The Commission will include a broad range of industry, patient and government representatives, including a representative from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
“It’s critical that Massachusetts invests wisely and responsibly in the long-term care services that families and their loved ones need now and in the future,” added Turner. “The Commonwealth would benefit from a comprehensive strategy to best deliver long-term care services, and this legislation is a much-needed step to help effectively address instability and change in the nursing home industry.”
WHO: Healthcare workers and members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
WHAT: Legislators, advocates, and healthcare workers will testify on behalf of An Act Creating a Special Commission on Institutional long Term Care Services,” at a hearing.
WHERE: Room A2, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston
WHEN: Monday, October 19
TIME: 10 a.m.
1199SEIU members have achieved several recent nursing care industry reforms, including the creation of a public hearing process to approve sales, closures, or license transfers pertaining to skilled nursing facilities. Earlier this year, 1199SEIU workers were key supporters of a budget amendment to ensure 70 percent of any additional Medicaid funds going to nursing care facility will go directly to the nursing home workforce delivering resident care.
# # #
Representing more than 52,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
Mergers, consolidations and the rapid expansion of nursing home companies have created a series of challenges for Massachusetts’ nursing home industry. The new legislation, “An Act Creating a Special Commission on Institutional long Term Care Services” (S.B. 351/H.B. 521), would create a special 15-member commission to more effectively manage the nursing home licensing, de-licensing and closure process.
The “Special Commission on Institutional Long Term Care” would be responsible for a number of initiatives, including developing policy recommendations relating to nursing home closures, and creating a plan to address excess nursing home beds. It would also reform the licensing and de-licensing processes, along with quality care criteria to assess nursing home beds before they are de-licensed or closed.
“Consolidations, mergers and the expansion of nursing home companies with a poor track record of care are making it more difficult for Massachusetts residents to access quality and affordable care for their loved ones,” said Veronica Turner, executive vice president of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East. “It’s crucial that quality nursing homes remain a viable option for care, particularly given changing industry conditions and the move toward new long-term care delivery systems.”
The nursing home industry in Massachusetts is in a state of flux, as it faces a variety of closures and funding and regulatory challenges. More than 100 nursing homes in Massachusetts have closed since 2000, despite the need for more care options. Currently neither geographic need nor quality indicators play a major role in closure decisions.
As part of its work, the Commission will tackle the new regulatory structures needed to address complex issues around nursing home ownership, licensing and funding, particularly given that accountable care organizations and other care delivery models will dramatically impact long-term care and future demand.
The bill’s lead sponsors are Senate Majority Leader Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and State Rep. Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown) and has drawn the support of more than 60 legislators. The Commission will include a broad range of industry, patient and government representatives, including a representative from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.
“It’s critical that Massachusetts invests wisely and responsibly in the long-term care services that families and their loved ones need now and in the future,” added Turner. “The Commonwealth would benefit from a comprehensive strategy to best deliver long-term care services, and this legislation is a much-needed step to help effectively address instability and change in the nursing home industry.”
WHO: Healthcare workers and members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East
WHAT: Legislators, advocates, and healthcare workers will testify on behalf of An Act Creating a Special Commission on Institutional long Term Care Services,” at a hearing.
WHERE: Room A2, Massachusetts State House, 24 Beacon Street, Boston
WHEN: Monday, October 19
TIME: 10 a.m.
1199SEIU members have achieved several recent nursing care industry reforms, including the creation of a public hearing process to approve sales, closures, or license transfers pertaining to skilled nursing facilities. Earlier this year, 1199SEIU workers were key supporters of a budget amendment to ensure 70 percent of any additional Medicaid funds going to nursing care facility will go directly to the nursing home workforce delivering resident care.
# # #
Representing more than 52,000 healthcare workers throughout Massachusetts and nearly 400,000 workers across the East Coast, 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in America. Our mission is to achieve affordable, high quality healthcare for all. 1199SEIU is part of the 2.1 million member Service Employees International Union.
