Nursing Homes Remain Unprepared for Hurricanes, Says Senate Report
November 16, 2018 | Aging Services Risk Management
Preview
Poor state and federal oversight contributed to nursing home deaths during the 2017 hurricane season, according to a report released by the Senate Finance Committee's minority staff on November 2, 2018. The authors called for increased federal oversight, including clarified expectations from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Despite recent steps taken by CMS to improve emergency preparedness, the authors said, events during hurricanes Harvey and Irma "raise major concerns" about facility preparedness. Federal and state emergency planning regulations, as well as the process for approving emergency plans, should be re-examined, the authors said.