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The General Accounting Office has released a 44-page report identifying specific state efforts to improve consumer protections in assisted living facilities. The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging concluded that there are exemplary consumer protection practices in Florida, Texas, Washington, Georgia and Massachusetts. It also acknowledged that regulations vary from state to state.

Sens. Larry Craig (R-ID), John Breaux (D-LA) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) requested the report, which was released just as the Washington Post, USA Today and other newspapers are publishing multiple stories with a critical view of assisted-living operations.

To read the full report, go to www.senate.gov/cgibin/exitmsg?url=http://aging.senate.gov/pressreleases/gaoalreport.pdf.