Proposed Bill Could Eliminate Nursing Home Fines in Illinois

by Administrator 7. May 2009 04:55
McKnight's Long-Term Care News - The Illinois state Legislature convened Wednesday to consider a controversial, first-of-its-kind proposal that would allow for the reduction, or in some cases, elimination of fines against nursing homes.

The bill's sponsor, Sen. Dan Kotowski (D), claims the measure would help to fix troubled nursing homes by changing how fines are levied. Instead of paying money to the state in the event of a care-related violation, fines would be reduced or eliminated, provided the money instead goes toward fixing the problem that led to the fine. The state's nursing home industry strongly supports the measure, but opponents are just as vehement, according to a report in the Illinois-based State-Journal Register.

Wendy Meltzer with the group Illinois Citizens for Better Care says it would be "morally repugnant" to forgive fines against nursing homes where neglect leads to the rape or death of a patient, the newspaper said. Meltzer also argues that funds from the fines would be directed away from Illinois' public health department efforts to monitor failing nursing homes. Proponents counter that the money would instead be received by the state's long-term care ombudsman program, which advocates for nursing home residents, the newspaper reported.

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John Rothbarth is the owner of the St. Louis Times, a media company focused on serving the informational needs of the St. Louis metro-area aging baby boomer/60+ population. The company publishes the St. Louis Times Resource Guide, St. Louis Times Express, and hosts St. Louis Times Funfest and St. Louis Times Geriatrics Symposium events. The company was founded in 1994 and has remained true to its original mission of 'doing some good for older adults and the professionals who work on their behalf.'

Since 1994 the company has won over 20 National Media Awards. He has participated on many local Boards of Directors, all of whom cater to the needs of our area’s aging population. For 2009 he is also President of Breakthrough Coalition, a consortium of over 250 aging-focused organizations and  professionals dedicated to serving the needs of older adults in the St. Louis / Illinois bi-state area.

John is a native St. Louisan, father of two sons, and graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia with a BS degree in Business Administration. His interests include reading mysteries, jogging, motorcycling, and aviation - he is a pilot with instrument, multi-engine and seaplane ratings.

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