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Redefining the Safety Net

Should California establish a Basic Health Program for certain low-income residents? CHCF's Marian Mulkey captures a recent policy conversation in a Health Affairs blog.

Accountable Care in Action

A new post on the Health Affairs blog details how CalPERS kept costs down in Sacramento through a "virtual" ACO with insurers and providers.

Career Opportunity: Senior Program Officer

This position will play a major role in furthering the goals and objectives of the foundation's Better Chronic Disease Care program.

Long-Term Care

Monday, April 26, 2010

Funds Needed for Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Advocates Say

Eldercare and disability advocates are calling on California lawmakers to pass a bill (AB 2555) by Assembly member Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) that would help sustain funding for the state's long-term care ombudsman services, the Vallejo Times Herald reports.

The ombudsman program investigates and resolves complaints about the quality of care in nursing homes, residential care facilities or assisted living centers.

Last year, California lawmakers cut $3.8 million from the program but later restored $1.6 million.

Joan Parks -- administrator for ombudsman and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program services of Northern California -- said funding for the ombudsman program is expected to run out on July 1.

If the program loses significant funding, Parks said local agencies likely would cut staff and reduce unannounced inspections of long-term care facilities (Rohrs, Vallejo Times Herald, 4/24).

Reader Comments:
  • 3
  • 04/27/2010
  • Bill Flavell

Good comment Tom,

I just worry about the aging people who may have to live in unfit conditions due to lack of investigation of complaints. I am always happy to see more care and attention given to our aging population. Many older Americans won't report abuse on their own and have sadly left or lost their homes to aging in place is no longer an option.

I actually work on an eldercare blog for a nation-wide network of caregivers and we often discuss this issue. If you are interested in learning more, I hope that you will check out www.rightathome.net

Keep up the great stories,
Bill

  • 2
  • 04/27/2010
  • Kathy G

Inspections every 3-5 years will leave the most vunerable population at risk for abuses and substandard care. For profit enterprises always look for ways to cut corners and maximize profits-is it realistic to think self reporting will actually be done?? -the Ombudsman program advocates for quality care and quality of life in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen identify, investigate and resolve complaints by or on behalf of facility residents and serve as independent, unbiased advocates for residents and work with all persons involved to reach acceptable solutions to problems. With the crying by conservatives to continue to decrease regulatory oversight,thus, decreasing State spending on salaries is a straw man argument/answer to this issue. Perhaps an overall evaluation on duplication of tasks and waste might be in order.

  • 1
  • 04/26/2010
  • Tom Johnson

Which agency is the most qualified or appropriate to investigate complaints; the Dept. of Health Services or the Ombudsman Program? With the budget challenges of the state it seems that one or the other, not both, should be given that role. California seems to spend an inordinate amount of money on regulation oversight, complaint response, inspections, etc. One change that could be made is to do inspections of long term care or acute care facilities every 3 years, or even 5 years, with self-reporting done annually. With a $20 billion dollar deficit our state needs to change many systems that are expensive to maintain.



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