September 11, 2019

Check the Length of Your Comments on the
Proposed Federal Nursing Home Regulations

If you are submitting comments electronically, and they have more than 5000 characters, you will need to put the comments in a document and attach it by clicking on “Choose Files.”  Note that the sample comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging for both groups/organizations and individuals exceed 5000 characters.

Please contact Robyn Grant (rgrant@theconsumervoice.org) if you have any questions.

And thank you!

REMINDER

Submit Comments on Proposed Revisions to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations

Due September 16, 2019 by 5:00 pm ET

This is a reminder that comments on proposed changes to the nursing home regulations are due by COB Monday, September 16. The proposed requirements would rollback numerous resident protections by eliminating or easing up on specific nursing home responsibilities. This could result in reduced standards for safety, quality care and rights.

Help protect residents by submitting comments! 

Writing your comments

Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging have prepared sample comments for groups/organizations to use as well as individuals.

A few tips:

• Please do what you can to personalize these comments. We have left a place at the beginning of the comment letter for you to indicate who you are or to provide information about your group. In your comments, give examples to illustrate the importance of particular regulations - draw from your experiences/observations. If you need help customizing your letter, contact Robyn Grant at rgrant@theconsumervoice.org.
• You do not have to cover every issue in the proposed regulations or in our sample comment letter. You can choose to address just the ones you believe are most important. If you are a resident or family member, you can write about the issues that affect you/your loved one the most.
  

Submitting your comments

It’s easy!  You can submit electronically or by mail.  

1. Electronically
   • Go to https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=CMS-2019-0105-0001.
2. By mail
   • Regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS–3347–P, P.O. Box 8010, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850. Please allow sufficient time for mailed comments to be received before the close of the comment period.
   • Express or overnight mail. You may send written comments to the following address ONLY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Attention: CMS–3347–P, Mail Stop C4–26–05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244–1850.

Please take the time to submit comments and forward this message to your family, friends and colleagues. CMS needs to hear from as many advocates as possible! 

To learn more about the proposed rule, visit our website here.

Thank you for your advocacy!