Nursing homes file suit against state over rates

The CT Association of Health Care Facilities yesterday filed suit in federal court arguing that the rates paid by the state to nursing homes violate federal laws that require consistence with efficiency, economy, quality and equality of access to care and that there is no evidence that rates are set on an objective, reasonable and principled basis. "This lawsuit is a last resort. After years of underfunding, Connecticut's nursing homes are stretched to the limit trying to provide high quality care to 28,000 frail and elderly residents without adequate funding," CAHCF Executive Vice President, Matt Barrett said. The suit names only Governor Rell and alleges that she has established a policy where budget decisions are the main priority in rate setting, excluding the costs of providing care or federal law. The suit cites several state-sponsored studies to back up their claims.
Ellen Andrews