The article “Families forced to rethink elder care options” (Page A12, May 9) identifies an important lesson learned from the tragedy of the pandemic: COVID-19 amplified long-existing deficiencies in long-term care. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, some two-thirds of Massachusetts nursing homes have not been inspected since well before the virus hit. This is unacceptable in a state that prides itself on health care leadership. Nursing homes, if they are to exist at all, must experience transformative change. Senate Bill 414 and House Bill 727 would make a great start at reform.
The bills include:
▪ An outbreak response plan to handle infectious diseases, including a full-time infection preventionist.
▪ Policies to prevent social isolation, including protocols and procedures to enable residents to engage in in-person contact with other facility residents, family, friends, and other external support systems.
▪ Civil monetary funds available for communication technologies and accessories needed for the purposes of the legislation.
▪ Administrative penalty for failure to comply with the provisions of the legislation and possible adverse licensure action.
▪ Resident bedrooms adhering to no more than two beds per room, at least 6 feet apart, plus other various mandated dimensions.
▪ Provisions to enhance training of certified nurse’s aides and entry-level workers in nursing homes.
Richard T. Moore
Uxbridge
The writer is a former Massachusetts Senate chair of health care financing.
