The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform gave Grassley a 1999 Award of Merit "for outstanding advocacy and exemplary leadership advancing the quality of care and life for Americans living in long-term care facilities." Grassley received the award after speaking this morning at the group's annual meeting.
"I'm honored by this recognition," Grassley said. "The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform is important to the success of our Committee's work to improve nursing homes. Its members are the eyes and ears of nursing home residents all over the country. These individuals provide a voice to those who can't advocate for their own welfare."
For more than two years, the Committee has focused on the quality of care in nursing homes, Grassley said. Early on, the General Accounting Office (GAO) documented severe problems in too many nursing homes. These problems included bed sores, malnutrition and dehydration. The GAO also exposed a weak enforcement system that tolerates problem nursing homes. The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) responded with an initiative to improve conditions.
Grassley said HCFA has completed a significant amount of work toward this goal, but the results still do not indicate widespread improvement. The Committee will explore the remaining challenges in two events this week:
On Wednesday at 10 a.m. in 562 Dirksen, the Committee will hold a forum, "Nursing Home Residents: Short-changed by Staff Shortages?" On Thursday at 10 a.m. in 562 Dirksen, the Committee will hold a hearing, "HCFA Regional Offices: Inconsistent, Uneven, Unfair."
The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform is a non-profit consumer organization representing 250 member groups and more than 1,000 individual members, according to the coalition.