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Vance Bill Calls for Notification of Enforcement Actions
Against Long-Term Care Facilities
HARRISBURG -- Sen.
Patricia Vance (R-Cumberland/York) has introduced legislation requiring
designated representatives of residents in long-term care facilities be notified
of any enforcement action taken against the facility.
“When an enforcement action is
taken against a facility -- such as suspension, revocation or limitation of an
operating license, refusal to renew a license, issuance of a provisional license
or a ban on admissions -- there is a serious threat to the life, health, safety
and well-being of the residents,” Vance said. “Relatives, especially those
who live out of the area, are rarely aware of serious dangers their loved ones
may face. By notifying them of actions taken against a facility, relatives will
have all the facts in order to make intelligent decisions about their loved ones
care.”
Senate Bill 761 requires
facilities to contact designed representatives of each resident within 10 days
of being notified that an enforcement action has been issued. Facilities also
must post at all entrances within 24 hours a notice that an enforcement action
has been taken. The notice must remain posted until the action in resolved.
The bill also requires all
long-term care facilities to place in a public and conspicuous location all
reports of inspections issued within the past year. Finally, the Department of
Health will post on the Internet the results of any surveys or licensing
inspections and any resulting enforcement action, statement of deficiencies or
plans of correction.
The bill was referred to the
Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.
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