July 7, 2020

In this Issue:

1. Consumer Voice and CANHR Send Comments to CMS about Rule on COVID-19 Reporting for Nursing Homes
   
2. Watch Our Facebook Live Wednesday on Avoiding Drugs as Chemical Restraints
   
3. Tune in Wednesday for Dispatch from the Frontlines - COVID-19 and Nursing Homes with Special Guest Rep. Jan Schakowsky
   
4. Webinar on Protecting Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services During COVID-19
   

Consumer Voice and CANHR Send Letter to CMS about Rule on COVID-19 Reporting for Nursing Homes
On May 8, 2020, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an “Interim Final Rule with Comment Period” mandating that nursing homes report certain information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and related but different information to residents, their representatives, and their families. Although the rule went immediately into effect, CMS provided the public with an opportunity to comment.

The rule contains many essential provisions, and Consumer Voice is pleased that CMS is requiring nursing homes to report data such as the number of cases and deaths.  At the same time, we believe the rule should be strengthened to address gaps in reporting requirements that make it difficult to gain a true picture of what is happening within facilities.

Consumer Voice, with the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR), sent a letter calling on CMS to mandate that additional data be collected and that nursing homes share with residents, their representatives, and their families the same information they report to the CDC. Read the letter »

Watch Our Facebook Live Wednesday on Avoiding Drugs as Chemical Restraints
Everyone who enters a long-term care facility deserves quality, person-centered care. Too many residents, however, are being given off-label antipsychotic drugs to control challenging behaviors or for caregiver convenience. When used this way, these drugs are chemical restraints.  

Join us on Facebook Live on Wednesday, July 8th at 2:00pm ET for a discussion with Kelly Bagby of AARP Foundation Litigation to talk about why the off-label use of antipsychotic drugs is a problem, your rights around medications and caregiving, and what to do if you think your loved one is being chemically restrained.

Visit our Facebook page - facebook.com/theconsumervoice - at 2pm ET on July 8 to watch the discussion from there!

Let us know you'll be watching - RSVP to the discussion on Facebook and share with your family members and friends!

Don't have a Facebook? Register and watch the discussion on Zoom!

Tune in Wednesday for Dispatch from the Frontlines - COVID-19 and Nursing Homes with Special Guest Rep. Jan Schakowsky
Tune into act.tv on Wednesday, July 8th at 7:00pm ET for a conversation with Representative Jan Schakowsky and Justice in Aging Directing Attorney Eric Carlson, Social Security Works Executive Director Alex Lawson, and a nursing home worker from SEIU. 

A shocking 43% of deaths from COVID-19 are linked to nursing homes. It’s a perfect storm: close conditions, vulnerable residents, staff without sufficient PPE, and for-profit companies putting profits over our loved ones’ lives.  Join the Congressional Progressive Caucus Center for the latest in their Dispatch from the Frontlines to learn more about the crisis in nursing homes, and what we can do about it.

Sign up for the LIVE Q&A with special guest Representative Jan Schakowsky and leading advocates for nursing home residents and workers. Watch on act.tv. 

Webinar on Protecting Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services During COVID-19
Join The Arc and Justice in Aging on Thursday, July 9th at 2:00pm ET for a webinar - Protecting Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services During COVID-19.   During the COVID-19 crisis, it has become clear that the ability to receive services and care at home and in the community is critical to keeping people safe and healthy and to help stop the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, however, there are multiple barriers to adequate access to Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS).  A lack of investment in HCBS by federal and state governments, scarcity of personal protective equipment for home care workers, and state cuts to HCBS programs to address budget shortfalls threaten existing HCBS infrastructure and put the lives of millions of seniors and people with disabilities at risk.  

In this webcast, you will hear from disability, aging, and state advocates on what actions you can take to protect and maintain access to HCBS in your state.  Register »