WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman Herb Kohl (D-WI) released a statement today as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched their new ranking system for America’s nursing homes, which gives each facility a “star” rating. CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems announced the creation of the rating system in June, allowing six months for the public, consumer groups, nursing homes, and many others to submit comments and suggestions on the system designed to provide patients and their families an easy to understand assessment of nursing home quality. The ratings will be published on the federal government’s website, Nursing Home Compare.

 

Senator Kohl’s statement follows, along with a comment from Administrator Weems and a summary of the Grassley-Kohl Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act of 2008:

 

“When it comes to nursing home quality and transparency, I firmly believe two things. First, that Americans should have access to as much information about a nursing home as possible. This information should include the results of independent safety inspections; the health status of residents, which is closely tied to the quality of services provided; the number of direct care staff responsible for providing hands-on care; and basic information about a home’s management and ownership. Second, I believe that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure that consumers can readily obtain this information in a clear manner, so that it can be used to help in making the best possible decision about which home is right for their loved one.

 

“CMS meets the first obligation fairly well, posting much of this data on the government’s website Nursing Home Compare. And with the implementation today of their five-star rating system for nursing homes, they are getting closer to meeting the second.

 

“Transparency is the key to nursing home quality. When Nursing Home Compare succeeds in delivering comprehensible and reliable information on nursing homes nationwide, I believe that the power of public opinion will motivate facility owners, managers, and staff to provide the best possible care and meet the kind of standards they would be proud to see posted online. As the 111^th Congress gets underway, Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) will join me in working to bolster this type of transparency through the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act, which AARP has called “one of the most significant nursing home reform initiatives” in two decades. Americans seeking care in any health care or long-term care facility deserve to know that the care they expect is going to be provided.

 

“We can make that happen by ensuring that the information on Nursing Home Compare is based on credible, auditable data. As this five-star rating system is implemented and improved upon, I trust that CMS will strive to make these nursing home rankings as accurate and timely as possible. I have recommended that CMS make it a priority to compare the inspection records of long-term care facilities within states. I have also urged the agency to rapidly move toward using a payroll-based system for reporting staffing levels, as opposed to the flawed self-reporting mechanism currently in place.

 

“Finally, I agree with Administrator Weems that it is critical that families understand that the very best way to choose a nursing home is to visit it – more than once, with and without an appointment. Invaluable information can be gleaned by simply speaking with residents, their family members, administrators, and the state long-term care ombudsman’s office.

 

“The need for a rating system of this kind was discussed at an Aging Committee hearing last November, at which Administrator Weems testified. I would be remiss if I did not thank him again for coming before the Committee with an open mind, ready to exchange ideas. I commend Administrator Weems today and, as always, appreciate the opportunity to work together to improve our nation’s nursing homes.” 

 

 

 “Our goal in developing this unprecedented quality rating system is to provide families a straightforward assessment of nursing home quality, with meaningful distinctions between high and low performing homes. The new information will also help consumers and families identify important questions to ask nursing homes and challenge nursing homes to improve their quality of care. I especially want to thank Chairman Kohl for his leadership and actions to help improve the care that millions of nursing home residents – and their family members – rely on for their well-being.”

 

 

 

 

 

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