U.S. Nursing Homes Get Bonuses Despite Violations

Dan Frith

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

If this story wasn't so sad it would be funny!

The Des Moines Register is reporting that nursing homes throughout the country are eligible for hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer-funded bonuses despite past violations of basic health-and-safety standards. A review of 81 bonus payment programs in 36 states shows that some homes are collecting quality-of-care bonuses approved by the same federal agency that considers them to be below-average caregivers.

For example, the Grace Living Center in Norman, Okla., has earned almost $96,000 in bonuses during the past year and is considered a "five-star" nursing home by the state of Oklahoma. But federal records show the home has been cited for more violations than the state and national averages. Also, Medicare itself ranks the home below average on 11 of 19 national quality measures.

My take: Pay bonuses to only the best nursing homes....facilities with a sufficiently trained staff...facilities which provide exemplary care to our elders. And quit wasting money on substandard nursing homes!