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Consumer Voice Calls on CMS to Strengthen Nursing Home Enforcement

September 16, 2014

Consumer Voice has called upon the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to enforce the nation’s laws and regulations that require nursing homes to ensure the provision of quality and humane care. In a letter sent to CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner, Consumer Voice identified key problems with the current enforcement system that negatively impact the health, safety and well-being of residents.

In its letter to CMS, Consumer Voice made four recommendations to improve the nursing home enforcement system. The recommendations include: creating an Office of Enforcement at CMS headed by an “Enforcement Czar” and staffed with enforcement experts; requiring an entity outside of CMS to conduct periodic, independent audits of surveys from across the country; changing State Operations Manual guidance and state standard performance guidance to hold states more accountable for their survey and enforcement duties; significantly increasing transparency and disclosure of enforcement information.

To read the letter, click here. The official press release for the letter can be accessed here.

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