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August 8, 2017
Lance Robertson Confirmed as New ACL Administrator
On August 3, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmed nominee Lance Robertson as the new Assistant Secretary on Aging and the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living (ACL). During his nomination hearing, Robertson laid out on his four-pronged strategy that he plans to implement during his tenure as the Assistant Secretary:
- Improve access to information about LTC services and supports that are available both with publicly-funded and private-sector resources;
- Promote vouchers, seek evidence-based solutions, and build support systems for working caregivers;
- Strengthen elder justice; and
- Increase the network’s business acumen, specifically in non-profit aging and disability community-based organizations.
To read Administrator Robertson’s opening statement to the HELP Committee, click here.
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Thank you for signing onto comment letter to CMS standing against forced arbitration agreements in nursing homes!
In response to CMS's proposed rule to repeal the ban on forced arbitration agreements, Consumer Voice submitted a group comment letter to CMS yesterday that contained over 850 signatures from individuals and over 150 signatures from national and state organizations. We thank you for standing against these harmful agreements that strip long-term care consumers' constitutional right to trial by a jury and place them at a disadvantage during the admissions process.
To read the full letter with signatures, click here.
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Senators Franken and Wyden Lead Push Against Forced Arbitration Agreements
U.S. Senators Al Franken (D-MN) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with 29 of their colleagues, sent a letter to CMS yesterday urging CMS to do away with the proposed rule that repeals the ban on forced arbitration agreements. The Senators wrote:
Forced arbitration clauses in nursing home agreements stack the deck against residents and their families who face a wide range of potential harms, including physical abuse and neglect, sexual assault, and even wrongful death at the hands of those working in and managing long-term care facilities....
Therefore, we strongly urge CMS to fully protect many of our nation’s most vulnerable individuals by withdrawing this proposal and sustaining and fully enforcing the existing restrictions on pre-dispute arbitration clauses in long-term care facility contracts.
You can read the full letter by clicking here.
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New Consumer Voice Publication - The Resident Advocate Newsletter
The Resident Advocate is a quarterly newsletter for residents of long-term care facilities. It provides:
- Information on residents' rights and care issues
- News and updates on national policy
- Self-advocacy tips for obtaining person-centered, quality care.
The newsletter is a great resource for residents and families, and can also be shared among friends, facility staff, ombudsmen and others. Read the first issue here.
The Resident Advocate newsletter is available for free download from this webpage or a mail subscription is available through our online store. A limited number of free mail subscriptions are available for residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities and board and care facilities, and individuals receiving long-term care in their home or community. If you are an individual receiving long-term care and would like to have The Resident Advocate mailed to you, send your name and address to info@theconsumervoice.org.
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Caring Kind Releases Newsletter Issue on Using MDS for Residents with Dementia
Caring Kind has released its latest issue of ADvancing Care on care planning for residents with dementia. In the newsletter, Caring Kind highlights that behaviors such as yelling or pushing are signs that the resident is uncomfortable and experiencing distress. Caring Kind suggests that whenever any of the behaviors are checked off on the MDS (Mininum Data Set) assessment form to assess care needs, nursing homes should utilize the care planning process "to uncover what is causing the person's distress" and focus on planning for comfort.
Read the full Summer 2017 issue of ADvancing Care here.
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OTC Hearing Aid Act Passed
The Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act of 2017 (OTC Hearing Aid Act) passed in the Senate on Thursday, August 3 as part of the FDA Reauthorization Act of 2017. The implementation of the OTC Hearing Aid Act would allow those with mild to moderate hearing impairment the opportunity to access more affordable hearing aids. The Act relieves some of the financial burden that many seniors face when lacking Medicare coverage for hearing, vision, and dental care. Finally, the Act ensures increased access to hearing aids that will increase quality of life for residents by enabling them to effectively interact with health care professionals, family, friends, and enjoy daily activities. Once the bill is signed into law, the OTC Hearing Aid Act will run from fiscal year 2018 to 2022.
To read the bill text, click here.
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Spotlight on Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:
Nursing Home Residents: Getting Help - This page contains resources and information to help nursing home residents advocate for quality long-term care.
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In this Issue
Lance Robertson Confirmed as New ACL Administrator
Thank you for signing onto comment letter to CMS standing against forced arbitration agreements!
Senators Franken and Wyden Lead Push Against Forced Arbitration Agreements
New Consumer Voice Publication - The Resident Advocate Newsletter
Caring Kind Releases Newsletter Issue on Using MDS for Residents with Dementia
OTC Hearing Aid Act Passed
Spotlight on Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Calendar of Events
November 5-8, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Wednesday, August 2:
Consumer Voice and Public Citizen Op-Ed on pre-dispute arbitration was published in the Huffington Post.
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Wednesday, August 2:
Proposed CMS rule would allow nursing homes to hide abuse and neglect. Speak out against the rule:http://bit.ly/2v7F3eu #safeguardseniors
Long-Term Care Resources & News
Read past issues of The Voice here.
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