CANHR

April 7, 2008

Residential Care Facility Inspections at Mercy of California Budget Cuts

Budget cuts proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger could cripple California’s oversight of Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly. Further damage to the already struggling oversight program could put thousands of RCFE residents at risk.

According the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), the proposed cuts come at a time when assisted living care is growing at a rapid rate. There are more than 7,000 assisted living facilities in the state, an increase of more than 25% over the last decade. Current law requires an inspection of RCFEs only once every five years, a dramatic decline from the 1980s when such facilities were subject to inspections twice a year.

Inspecting RCFEs once every five years or less is a recipe for neglect and abuse,” said Patricia McGinnis, CANHR’s executive director. “Care standards and residents’ rights become virtually meaningless when inspections are so rare. Issuing a license under these conditions deceives consumers who assume the state is conducting regular inspections or offering oversight and protection to residents.

September 13, 2007

Nursing Home Complaint Investigation Improvement Act Heads to Governor’s Desk

by Randall Walton

The Nursing Home Complaint Investigation Improvement Act (AB 399), authored was approved last week in the Assembly Health Committee by a vote of 10-0. The legislation would fight abuse and neglect by improving the quality and timeliness of nursing home complaint investigations. AB 399 has over 30 registered supporters including the AARP, Congress of California Seniors, Gray Panthers, and Bet Tzedek Legal Services. There is no registered opposition.

According to the California Chronicle, AB 399 would require the Department of Health Services (DHS) to complete investigations within 40 working days; send complainants a written summary of findings about their complaint; investigate facility-reported complaints of abuse and neglect within the same time frames as public complaints; and extend the number of days a complainant has to seek an informal conference from five business days to 15 days after receipt of the determination.

“Today’s vote is an important step toward restoring public confidence in California’s nursing home oversight system,” said Michael Connors of California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR). “Timely DHS investigations will help ensure that nursing home residents are protected from further neglect and abuse once it’s been reported.”

September 9, 2007

Walton Law Firm Is Proud to Support CANHR

by Randall Walton

The California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) in San Francisco has been fighting for the rights of long-term nursing home residents for more than 20 years. Through community education, legislation and litigation, it has been CANHR’s goal to remind decision makers of what needs to be done about long-term care; that this “forgotten population” consists of our mothers and fathers, our husbands and wives, our brothers and sisters, and that their suffering is our shame. CANHR has received numerous awards for its work.

Walton Law Firm is proud to support the work of CANHR, and is now participating in its 2007 Campaign for Justice, an effort to continue the great work of this valuable organization. If you are interested in providing your support to the cause, and helping to give a voice to the voiceless, please visit our contribution site and contribute. Any contribution you can make will be appreciated.

Thank you.