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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 15, 2005
Contact: Tracy Polovick
Coordinator of Communications and Outreach
(717) 787-8524
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Vance Legislation Calls for Notice of Enforcement Actions Taken Against Long-Term Care Facilities

HARRISBURG – Sen. Patricia Vance (R-Cumberland/York) has introduced legislation requiring designated representatives of residents in long-term care facilities be notified of any enforcement action taken against the facility.

"When an enforcement action is taken against a facility – such as suspension, revocation or limitation of an operating license, refusal to renew a license, issuance of a provisional license or a ban on admissions – there is a serious threat to the life, health, safety and well-being of the residents," Vance said. "Relatives, especially those who live out of the area, are rarely aware of serious dangers their loved ones may face. By notifying them of actions taken against a facility, relatives will have all the facts in order to make intelligent decisions about their loved ones care."

Senate Bill 761 requires facilities to contact designed representatives of each resident within 10 days of being notified that an enforcement action has been issued. Facilities also must post at all entrances within 24 hours a notice that an enforcement action has been taken. The notice must remain posted until the action in resolved.

The bill also requires all long-term care facilities to place in a public and conspicuous location all reports of inspections issued within the past year. Finally, the Department of Health will post on the Internet the results of any surveys or licensing inspections and any resulting enforcement action, statement of deficiencies or plans of correction.

The bill was referred to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Vance's district includes all of Cumberland County and Carroll, Fairview, Franklin, Monaghan, Warrington and Washington townships and Dillsburg, Franklintown and Wellsville boroughs in York County.