Proposal to improve care protects against litigation; Advocates for elderly call bill a step backward
Monday, February 21st, 2005.
Recently introduced into the Kansas’ Legislature, House Bill 2241 aims to change the ways nursing home and assisted living facilities handle risk management and patient care concerns. Additionally the bill prevents reports, records, state inspections or analysis that takes place under these new risk management programs from being introduced in court in the event of a lawsuit. Proponents say the bill would allow for improved patient care without fear from litigation. Elderly advocates, including the AARP Kansas, Kansas Advocates for Better Care, and the Kansas Department of Aging, all have expressed serious concern regarding the lack of protection left to nursing home residents, citing the bill as potential tool to hide nursing home abuse and neglect.
From the article
Advocates for the elderly say House Bill 2241 would shield nursing homes from liability in instances of neglect or abuse, diminishing the care industry’s incentive to guard against the problems.
“We believe that the real reason for House Bill 2241 is to hide essential and relevant evidence from a jury,” said Ernest Kutzley, advocacy director for AARP Kansas. “It will make it harder for older Kansans and their loved ones in nursing homes to seek redress when they’ve been injured, neglected or abused.”
Read the full text of the article >>
« Nursing Home Abuse News Main Page.
Most Recent in
|
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.