Hearing Held on S.D 2657, An Act Relative to Patient Safety in Nursing Homes
Senator Eldridge testified at the Joint Committee of Public Health Hearing on Monday.
Boston, MA - On May 11th, the Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing (via written testimony) on S.D 2657, An Act Relative to Patient Safety in Nursing Homes. This act was filed April 16, 2020 by State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Jim Arciero, in order to adequately respond to the devastating effects of COVID-19 in nursing homes across the Commonwealth.
“Over the past weeks, it has been heartbreaking to learn of the loss of life and injuries in nursing homes across Massachusetts due to COVID-19,” wrote Senator Eldridge in his testimony to the Joint Committee. “During these tragedies, I have observed firsthand that the Department of Public Health (“DPH”) has been limited in its authority to oversee and intervene in nursing homes infected with COVID-19. In order to prevent further tragedy in this and future public health emergencies, I filed An Act Relative to Patient Safety in Nursing Homes (S. 2657).”
This bill (S. 2657) would allow DPH to take control of a nursing home during a public health emergency, inspect a nursing home at their discretion, and require nursing home employees to undergo disease (including COVID-19) testing and temperature monitoring as a condition of reporting for work.
To support this bill, please contact your State Senators and State Representatives asking them to co-sponsor the bill.
For more details, please visit https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/SD2914.
###
