Herb Kohl: “I rise to introduce the Patient Abuse Prevention Act, a bill to establish greater safeguards in our health care system…”

“I rise to introduce the Patient Abuse Prevention Act, a bill to establish greater safeguards in our health care system for vulnerable Americans. I am pleased to be joined in offering this bill by Senate Committee on Aging Chairman Charles Grassley and Senator Harry Reid. One of the most difficult times for any family is when a senior or disabled member enters a long-term care arrangement. That family should not also be faced with the worry that the long-term care facility or its staff may pose a threat. Whatever health care setting a family chooses, whether institutional or community-based, there should be assurances that care will be provided by trained and compassionate professionals. Thankfully, that is the case in most facilities. But in a few cases-- and that is a few cases too many--a long-term care facility hires someone who doesn't have the best interests of the patient in mind. A disturbing number of cases have been reported where health care workers with criminal backgrounds have been cleared to work in a long-term care facility and have abused patients in their care. If only greater attention was given to discovering the background of these applicants, the abuses may have been prevented. A recent report from the Nation's long-term care ombudsmen indicates that, in 29 States surveyed, 7,043 cases of abuse, gross neglect or exploitation occurred in nursing homes and board and care facilities.”