Report Critical of Nursing Homes Spurs Investigation
A joint legislative audit committee is investigating the Department of Health Services after a Government Accountability Office report found that nursing homes in California and other states underreported serious deficiencies and complaints, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
A recently released Consumer Reports nursing home survey found that inadequate care persists at the facilities, despite a 1987 federal law that was intended to reform the industry. Three California nursing homes were listed among the nation's top 12 worst offenders.
Betsy Hite, a spokesperson for the California Association of Health Facilities, said consumers need to research nursing home quality to ensure potential residents will receive proper care (Muckenfuss/Vittachi, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 8/17).