The names of seven nursing homes in Virginia that have settled federal charges were released following protest from nursing-home patient advocates who objected to the government’s refusal to disclose the names.
U.S. Attorney for eastern Virginia Paul J. McNulty earlier cited confidentiality as part of the settlement agreements. His spokesman later said he was wrong and the names do not have to be kept private. The nursing homes settled charges of providing substandard care. The U.S. attorney’s office in Alexandria now plans to make the settlements known to consumers.
Some advocates were angered with the idea that federal prosecutors would withhold information about nursing home quality. Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) introduced a bill this year that would require the Department of Justice to report details of settlements exceeding $100,000.
The homes were: Woodbine Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center; Oak Meadow Nursing Center; Leewood Healthcare Center in Annandale; Beverly Healthcare of Fredericksburg; Ruxton Health Care of Stratford Hills; Ashland Convalescent Center in Ashland and Warsaw Health Care Center in Warsaw.
