The Governor has signed Assembly Bill 215, legislation that will help families seeking a nursing home for a loved one by requiring skilled nursing facilities prominently to post quality of care ratings. The bill, jointly authored by Assembly members Mike Feuer (D-Los Angeles) and Cameron Smyth (R-Santa Clarita) enjoyed strong bipartisan support throughout the legislative process.

“Families trying to choose a nursing home for their loved ones need more information so they can compare quality of care information and make the right decision,” said Feuer. “Soon nursing homes will post their federal ratings, and families confronting this very difficult choice will be better informed. Most important, their loved ones will be better protected.”

“I’m pleased that Governor Schwarzenegger recognizes the value of providing information on nursing home ratings to seniors and their families. AB 215 is important consumer protection legislation, and I’m proud to have joined Assemblyman Feuer in this bipartisan effort,” said Smyth. “We were able to bring together members from both sides of the aisle, as well as stakeholders on all sides of the issue, in order to craft legislation that benefits all Californians.”

AB 215 requires long-term health care facilities that accept Medicare or Medicaid to post the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) star rating in a visible, public location. Overall federal CMS ratings are based on health inspection results, staffing levels, and quality measures. The public can obtain this information through the CMS Nursing Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/NHCompare/home.asp). A posted rating will provide more information to patients, residents, and visitors to nursing homes who are unaware of the ratings or who have limited internet access.

AB 215 is part of a three bill package by Feuer protecting vulnerable seniors from exploitation and abuse, all of which Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law this year. In August, the Governor signed AB 392, immediately restoring funding to local Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs to ensure nursing home abuse cases are investigated. He also signed AB 329, legislation that will give significant rights to seniors contemplating reverse mortgages.

AB 215 goes into effect on January 1, 2011.

Assembly member Feuer has fought for nursing home patient rights since serving as Executive Director of Bet Tzedek Legal Services, the House of Justice. During his tenure, Bet Tzedek provided free legal representation to more than 50,000 primarily aging or disabled clients on nursing home patients’ rights, elder abuse, Holocaust restitution, slum housing conditions, access to medical care, consumer fraud and other critical issues.

Steven Peck

About the Author

Attorney Steven Peck has been practicing law since 1981. A former successful business owner, Mr. Peck initially focused his legal career on business law. Within the first three years, after some colleagues and friend’s parents endured nursing home neglect and elder abuse, he continued his education to begin practicing elder law and nursing home abuse law.