Senator Chuck Grassley, through his position on the Senate Finance Committee, has issued a press release regarding his request that the OIG investigate nursing home deaths during Katrina. Specifically, he has requested that the OIG look at the following:
1) Were long-term care facilities prepared to evacuate patients across State lines?
2) Were policies and procedures in place to evacuate residents?
3) Was care jeopardized in transporting patients?
and;
4) What mechanisms are currently in place for loved ones to find displaced residents?
I look forward considering the GAO’s work on these critical issues. We must ensure that
situations like this are NEVER repeated again.
Issue number 3 suggests that this may be one of those “damned if you do and damned if you don’t” situations.
The press release can be read by clicking here. The OIG response can be read by clicking here.