Accountability in nursing homes is vital

Tell your senator to include it in the state budget

Right now, the Ohio Senate is finalizing their version of the state budget, which will include hundreds of millions of dollars for nursing homes. We want to ensure that any additional funding improves direct patient care.

Ohioans deserve high-quality, safe environments. Accountability is key. Nursing homes must provide fully audited financial statements to ensure your tax dollars are actually being used to improve patient care.

Your legislator needs to hear from you on this issue. Tell them to require all Ohio nursing homes to provide audited financial statements to hold the industry accountable.

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Dear Senator,

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I’m your constituent, and I’m asking you to hold nursing homes accountable. I am counting on you to ensure that any increased funding in the state budget improves the quality of direct care and the safety and security of Ohio’s nursing homes. We can’t afford to waste any time or taxpayer dollars in the much-needed reforms to protect Ohio’s nursing home residents and support their caregivers and loved ones.

We all agree nursing homes need increased funding. Most of us have a story about a lack of care a friend or family member received - some are horrifying.  Those resources, however, should include audits similar to any other public funds- like school districts. This is critical to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used to improve patient care and services. The only way to do that is to hold nursing homes accountable and promote transparency in the industry.

Here are a few ways to accomplish this:

• Ohio needs to require all nursing homes to provide fully audited financial statements. Require nursing home owners to put the majority of payments toward direct care for residents—and report this spending in a verifiable way. Self-reported data doesn’t go far enough to ensure that payment ratios or other quality measures are being upheld.

• Ohio nursing homes must be held accountable for sufficient staffing levels, as well as strengthening the direct care workforce beyond increased wages. Increasing wages is important but is only a part of the solution. Ohio must also address training and education as well as job satisfaction for direct care workers. Establishing minimum staffing standards in nursing homes ensures consistency and quality of care.

Please help empower Ohioans to choose how they live and age in place. Ohioans who worked hard their entire lives now confront an out-of-date long-term care system. It is time to hold nursing homes accountable for providing residents with quality care.

I ask you to ensure resources are focused on supporting older Ohioans so they can thrive.

Thank you,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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