Senate Appropriations Committee passes bill to survey seniors about nursing home conditions

Experts say Florida is 'headed into a train wreck.'

The Senate Appropriations Committee has OK’d a bill that could give lawmakers new insight into how seniors feel at nursing homes in order to better protect them.

“This bill strengthens the voice of our nursing home residents and their family members to ensure they can age with the dignity and care they deserve,” said Senate President Ben Albritton in a statement.

If SB 170 passes this Session, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) would create biennial customer satisfaction surveys for residents and their families at nursing homes. The survey would be available at all facilities, including ones operated by nonprofits and for-profit companies, for short-term and long-term residents.

Nursing home employees would be prohibited from trying to influence the responses, although seniors’ families could help them complete the surveys, the bill outlines.

“The beauty of this survey is we will be able to use it in a multitude of ways,” said Sen. Colleen Burton, a Lakeland Republican, during Wednesday’s hearing.

Lawmakers would be able to understand if the state’s programs are improving seniors’ quality of care and plan to study how Florida compares to other states, Burton said.

The survey results will also be available to the public in the AHCA Nursing Home Guide website.

“Following the survey results, nursing homes must develop and submit an internal action plan for improvement to AHCA. This feedback is essential to help Florida families make a clear and informed decision when selecting a nursing home,” the Senate press release said.

Staff analysis of the bill warned about costs ahead. “AHCA estimates a cost of $356,500 to implement the Nursing Home Patient Satisfaction Survey and the Nursing Home Patient Safety Culture Survey required in this bill,” the staff report said.

“The agency will also require $140,500 annually to maintain, enhance, and secure endorsements for these surveys. The comprehensive study of nursing home quality incentive plans will require an estimated $1.5 million to complete.”

What could help lower the state’s cost are new $10,000 fines the bill is proposing on nursing homes that refuse to submit audited financial information to the state as required by law.

The bill also includes a provision to require nursing home medical directors to obtain an American Medical Directors Association certification or hold a similar credential approved by AHCA.

“Floridians should feel confident when selecting a nursing home for themselves or a loved one. This legislation will elevate the quality of care and safety standards of nursing home facilities statewide,” Burton said in a statement.

“Enhanced transparency and feedback from nursing home residents and their family members will better inform Floridians and safeguard the quality of care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.”