National Notes

Opponents Blast Clinton Nursing Home Proposal

The Clinton Administration has proposed spending an extra $16 million to improve nursing home oversight. The money would be used to train inspectors, conduct surprise inspections, and crack down on the 100 worst facilities. Vice President Al Gore announced the proposal as a campaign booster at a meeting with the National Council of Senior Citizens.

But not everyone thinks the proposal is that great. According to Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, chairman of a Senate Special Committee on Aging, more money will not guarantee quality care at nursing homes. Grassley contends that the government does not adequately insure that state inspectors enforce federal nursing home laws. "Under this system we could quadruple enforcement money with no guarantees of success. It’s like throwing cash into a river." He suggests the Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the enforcement funds, should not get more funds until taxpayers get their money’s worth.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) has another solution and contends that the problem is lack of funds for staffing. According to AHCA Vice President Linda Keegan, Medicare and Medicaid pay too little for nursing facilities to recruit, train, and keep qualified staff. "Quality of life and quality of care is not being measured. If the administration is going to look at investing more in long-term care, it should look at staffing."