Trump Administration Proposes Rule that Endangers Nursing Home Residents

Washington, D.C., August 7, 2017 – Alliance for Justice today submitted written comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid in response to their proposed rule that would overturn a ban on forced arbitration at nursing homes and long-term care facilities that receive federal money. AFJ President Nan Aron released the following statement:

“CMS’s about-face on the issue of forced arbitration is breathtaking, since it was only last year that the agency issued a rule protecting nursing home residents from this practice. Now, under the Trump Administration, this is one more protection for vulnerable people that is being swept aside. CMS is proposing to bring back nursing homes’ practice of insisting that residents who are injured bring their case to an arbitrator, often chosen by the facility, thus taking away their right to a fair day in open court. This requirement is often hidden in the ‘fine print’ in nursing home contracts, which residents and families faced with illness and stress often do not fully understand. It’s unconscionable, and we urge CMS to reconsider this ill-advised proposal and reject this rule change.”