TRUMP FAILS TO ADDRESS PANDEMIC IN NURSING HOMES
FAILURE TO FIGHT PANDEMIC IN NURSING HOMES IS LIKE THAT OF DEATH SENTENCE
ONE ARGUMENT IS MEDICARE FUNDING IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM REQUIRING THE PRESIDENT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILTY
The number of
infections and deaths due to COVID-19 in Nursing Homes, Long Term Care and
Correctional facilities has been largely ignored. The numbers are shocking. The
most vulnerable of our older population face almost certain death unless action
is taken and the States do not have the resources to contain the
pandemic.
To their credit
the New York Times is covering this ongoing story. The Times
is engaged in an effort to track infection and death rates in Nursing Homes and
Assisted Living centers across the country. They regularly post their findings
online.
In a recent article they sounded the alarm as the crisis mounted in the epicenter of New
York, New Jersey and now Michigan. In their Sunday edition, The Detroit
Free Press headline, "Nursing homes face huge risk" four
reporters contributed to this expose. They were able to identify some homes in
Metro Detroit reporting number of infections and deaths not only residents but
staff.
The New York Times
captured the essence of the crisis in a quote from Scott LaRue, the chief executive of ArchCare, which operates five
nursing homes in New York.
“The story is not about whether there’s Covid-19 in the nursing homes, ... The story is why aren’t they being treated with the same respect and the same resources that everyone else out there is? It’s ridiculous.”
This
leads me to the nature of the problem and potential solution. The President has
conveniently left the individual governors of states to address largely on
their own.
Last week, Rachel Maddow lauded the Times and NBC news for tracking
the nursing home infection rate. She went on to say that the number of nursing
home and long term facilities have not been included in the totals reported by
the feds. I don't know if this has been confirmed; but under reporting is likely in
every state.
Based
on my experience working for Michigan's Department of Human Services I can go
into more detail later as needed.
It
may be too late for Governors Cuomo and Whitmer to make the case but here is
one recourse for the states to receive additional funding specifically directed
to the nursing home crisis,
As
President Trump has numerously stated, this is a pandemic the likes we have
never seen. Second, no one saw this coming so it is not the fault of individual
businesses and displaced workers..
Nursing
Home, LTC and Assisted Living residents certainly never saw this coming or recognize what
was about to occur. Nursing homes are tinder boxes for a ravaging fire.
The vast majority of these facilities never had a reason to obtain the PPE items such as N95
masks and protective gowns as there was never a need in the past.
One
can argue that of all of these facilities should fall to Federal Government responsibility as they are wholly dependent on Medicare
and Medicaid. The Social Security Administration authorizes and oversees the payments.Individual states provide little of no funding for
nursing home residents.
It is
incumbent for the Trump administration to take full responsibility and use the
federal stockpile to immediately send all needed supplies to the states.
In
addition it is paramount to perform testing on every staff member as well as
every resident. Michigan, New York, New Jersey and all states will require a
huge amount of funds if they are to attack the problem.
It
will involve a large number of personnel including the Army Corp of Engineers,
National Guard and possibly Reserves. One choice is a step by step relocation of residents at the same time as a complete
sanitation process in the nursing homes if they will ever have a chance to
return. There is a large risk of transfer trauma with this option.
States
and local authorities must have the additional supplies and funding if they have
any chance to act before it is too late.
I
would urge Governor Whitmer and Governor Cuomo to consider this argument.
Medicare and Medicaid wholly support the nursing home system for our most
vulnerable. The ultimate responsibility belongs under the federal government
and Mr. Trump.
A plea from only a few Democratic Governors may not be enough. They may need to enlist
Republican leaders and especially businessmen, someone who has the ear of the President. In
Michigan one such individual is Dan Gilbert. He has a rather personal connection with nursing
homes and willing to listen.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/11/nyregion/nursing-homes-deaths-coronavirus.html
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