Schakowsky Applauds Biden Action to Protect People Living In Nursing Homes

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), a Senior Chief Deputy Whip, Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee, and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Aging and Families, released the following statement in response to President Biden's announcement of initiatives to protect seniors and people with disabilities living in nursing homes, which he will discuss in tonight's State of the Union:

"As a Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Task Force on Aging and Families, I am grateful to President Biden for his announcement to improve quality long-term care for our nation's beloved seniors and people with disabilities. The announcement uplifts what I have long championed: Every person in the United States deserves to age with dignity and respect and access to quality long-term care.

"President Biden's announcement includes key proposals from my legislation, the Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents and Workers During COVID-19 and Beyond Act (HR 598), including the directive for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to establish minimum nursing home staffing requirements. Establishing a minimum staffing level will ensure that all nursing home residents are provided safe, quality care, and that workers have the support they need to provide that quality, direct care.

"The announcement includes key provisions from H.R. 598 by requiring an on-site infection preventionist at every nursing home and ending the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications in nursing home residents. These actions will be part of a long-overdue comprehensive reform to protect the welfare, safety, and rights of seniors and people with disabilities living in nursing homes.

"Finally, I am grateful to see the President's call for critical nursing home transparency reforms. The movement of private equity firms into the long-term care space has been extremely concerning. We have seen what these companies do: put profits over people. In the end, quality of care decreases and our loved ones suffer. We must ensure that there is transparency in who owns long-term care facilities, and that nursing home residents and workers are protected.

"I thank President Biden for his commitment to ensuring seniors and people with disabilities have access to quality long-term care and for including critical provisions of my legislation in his call to action. I look forward to working with my colleagues to make sure these provisions are enacted into law and that we support and look out for our nation's beloved seniors."

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