New bill would update nursing home survey process

Bart Stupak (D-MI)

The American Health Care Association Monday applauded a new bill that would seek to modernize the survey and certification system that assesses and monitors long-term care and post-acute care systems.

The Enhancing Quality through Survey System Improvements Act of 2010 (H.R. 6074) would free surveyors “from spending unnecessary time in high quality facilities,” according to AHCA. Also, the legislation would help prepare the agency to better utilize its collected survey data, ensuring better health outcomes. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) introduced the bill on Friday.

“Put simply, the current survey system is in need of long overdue changes,” AHCA President and CEO Bruce Yarwood said in a press release. “We are committed to supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and we believe this legislation would ensure a more efficient use of resources by enhancing CMS's ability to focus additional time and energy on facilities that are in the greatest need of guidance.”