John B. Breaux: “I agree with my colleague. The Center's work is critical to millions of residents of long-term care facilities and their…”

“I agree with my colleague. The Center's work is critical to millions of residents of long-term care facilities and their families. I am hopeful that when we finally pass a fiscal year 2003 Labor, HHS, Education appropriations bill that we will provide appropriate support for the Center and report language that ensures the continued quality training and assistance for omsbudmen that has been so ably provided through the Center. It is my view that the Center must continue to be housed in an independent nonprofit citizens-based organization that has the improvement of care in long-term care facilities as its primary purpose. Such an organization should include long-term care ombudsmen and consumers in its governance and have a minimum of 5 years of experience on a national basis of providing long-term care ombudsmen with technical assistance, training, and information.”