Nursing home providers and legislators in Oklahoma have different opinions about new legislation requiring nursing homes to carry at least $250,000 in
liability insurance.
Lawmakers and consumer advocates have said the mandatory
insurance is simply the "cost of doing business," but providers have
a different take on the situation. They say that insufficient reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid put nursing homes in the awkward
position of having to choose between liability insurance and quality care.
Medicare and Medicaid funds cover roughly 70% of nursing
home residents in Oklahoma, according to the Oklahoma Association of Healthcare
Providers. The Oklahoma Center for Consumer and Patient Safety say that 56
nursing homes, comprising nearly 20% of the state's beds, do not have liability
insurance. The law is awaiting approval from the house.
The state's senate passed the bill unanimously.