NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY
NOTICE OF HEARING
COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
Richard N. Gottfried, Chair
New York State’s Regulatory Role in Nursing Homes
250 Broadway, Assembly Hearing Room 1923, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Thursday, May 19, 2005
10:30 AM
Nursing home residents are vulnerable of long term care recipients. Most are chronically ill, and need help with daily activities such as eating, walking and going to the bathroom. The New York State Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for protecting them by regulating and monitoring nursing homes. The DOH inspects and surveys nursing homes to determine if they are complying with state and federal guidelines, and uses its enforcement powers to act against those facilities that do not abide by these rules. Recent studies, reports and anecdotal evidence from consumers have indicated that New York State’s nursing home inspection and complaint system has not been working as it should.
Some of the issues witnesses may want to address are:
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What is DOH doing to ensure there is an adequate and effective oversight system?
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How effective is DOH in finding problems in nursing homes during its inspections?
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How effective is DOH in identifying serious and systematic problems?
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What are the obstacles to DOH’s ability to improve its effectiveness once problems have been identified?
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How does DOH encourage appropriate citations?
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What is the experience of consumers dealing with the complaint survey system?
Persons wishing to attend or present testimony at this hearing should complete and return the reply form as soon as possible, but no later than Monday, May 9, 2005. It is important that the form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation of the hearing.
Oral testimony will be limited to ten minutes in length. All testimony is under oath. In preparing the order of witnesses, the Committee will attempt to accommodate individual requests to speak at particular times in view of special circumstances. This request should be made on the attached reply form or communicated to Committee staff as soon as possible. Ten copies of any prepared statement should be submitted at the hearing registration table.
In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the New York State Assembly, in accordance with its policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to Assembly facilities and activities.
Questions about this hearing may be directed to Shay Bergin of the Assembly Health Committee staff at 518-455-4941 or bergins@assembly.state.ny.us.
