Loeffler: Several States ‘Wreaked Havoc’ On Nursing Homes During COVID-19
Asks HHS, CMS to Examine States’ Policies, Take Action to Protect Vulnerable Seniors
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-Ga.) today asked the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to examine how several states that rejected federal guidance contributed to the spread of the coronavirus in nursing homes during the pandemic.
As of June 20, 43% of all COVID-19 deaths in the United States occurred in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, according to the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity. Loeffler, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, sent a letter to HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CMS Administrator Seema Verma asking that they take action to correct state policies that could further spread the coronavirus in nursing homes.
“Despite the admirable efforts from the administration, nursing homes have been devastated by the virus,” Loeffler wrote. “While it is unreasonable to expect 100% prevention of outbreaks in nursing homes in the midst of this pandemic, current data shows that we must continue to prioritize these facilities in our response…In several states, misguided policies have wreaked havoc… Moving forward, I ask that CMS examine which state policies have hampered our overall response to COVID-19 and put senior citizens at risk and take the appropriate steps to correct these policies.
“While the spread of the virus has slowed, it is still infecting individuals. In order to ensure we are adequately prepared to respond to any future spread, additional evidence-based guidance may be needed, and strict enforcement of existing guidance is critical to implementing effective strategies for states to protect nursing home patients. The effects of the virus on this population have been tragic, and collaborative efforts on state, local, and federal levels are key to prevent this crisis from worsening.”
The full letter is available here.