ANTONOVICH CALLS FOR NURSING HOME GRADING SYSTEM

 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

Contact:  Tony Bell, Communications Deputy    Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich    Office:  (213) 974-5555   Cell: (213) 215-5176    E-mail:  tbell@bos.lacounty.gov

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

January 13, 2009                                                                                                         For Immediate Release

 

ANTONOVICH CALLS FOR NURSING HOME GRADING SYSTEM

 

LOS ANGELES COUNTY – To ensure the health and well-being of the County’s senior population, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to encourage the Governor and State Health officials to require nursing homes to display publically their five-star rating issued by the Federal Government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  The rating, with five stars being the highest and one star for the lowest, includes medical care, staffing levels, food services, sanitation, bedsore mitigation and the results of licensing inspections. 

 

“This vital information equips families to make informed decisions about the care for their loved ones.  It also provides incentives for facilities to establish higher quality standards and compliance.” said Antonovich. 

 

While the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services performs licensing and complaint inspections through a contract with the State of California, only the State can require facilities to post the results of the new Federal Rating system.    

 

The motion sends a five signature letter to the Governor, the California State Legislature, and the Director of the State Department of Public Health to support a facility rating guide for nursing facilities and convalescent homes.

 

Supervisor Antonovich is the father of the County’s successful Restaurant Grading system established in 1997.  

 

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