AG James co-leads coalition questioning for-profit nursing home ownership

New York Attorney General Letitia James is the co-lead on a coalition of 18 attorneys general and the Inspector General of the District of Columbia who support of a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would require the disclosure of certain ownership, managerial, and other information regarding nursing facilities, particularly from private equity investors and real estate investment trusts.

In their letter supporting the proposed rule, the attorneys general said that the quality of care at for-profit nursing facilities ”“ especially those owned and/or operated by private equity investors ”“ is often inferior to the services offered at nonprofit facilities. They cited a recent study that found higher short-term mortality, elevated use of antipsychotic medications, fewer nursers and worsening mobility of residents at the for-profit facilities.

“We trust nursing homes to protect our state”™s most vulnerable communities and to provide them with the quality care they deserve,” said James. “Transparency and accountability with regard to who is managing these facilities and the services they provide are vital to our ability to protect residents. The health and safety of New Yorkers remains our top priority, and as part of our ongoing efforts to monitor nursing homes to keep people safe, we will continue to take every measure to hold those who cause harm accountable.”