Budget Cuts May Bear Partial Onus for Nursing Home Issues

When the Senate released a June report indicated over 400 nursing homes had been cited for various infractions over the past few years, it did not attract nearly the national attention that it should have. Though garnering an article in a few newspapers, most people seemed to take it for granted that nursing homes were dangerous places, and that abuse was commonplace.

In addition to generating little national news, the report also did little to help identify why nursing homes have become so dangerous. But as more details came out, some people began to wonder if budget cuts were partially responsible, and not the types of budget cuts most people might think of.

Nursing homes are frequently understaffed and lacking in resources, but whether or not this is due to lack of funding from Medicaid is difficult to determine, as most facilities are seeking to maximize profit at the expense of care. But one factor that may go a long way in explaining nursing home issues is the lack of a sufficient budget for monitoring of these facilities.

Different states have different rules, but in general there is supposed to be oversight of nursing homes by the State. But due to budget issues, many States have cut back on these types of inspections, leaving nursing homes to fend for themselves, and lessening the chances of catching small problems that grow into bigger ones.

If you or someone you love has suffered from abuse or neglect while living in a nursing home, determining how long the abuse or neglect took place can be difficult. Witnesses are often hesitant to talk, and only skillful use of questions can get to the truth. Please consider consulting with an experienced attorney regarding your case.