Senator Kim Ward Sponsors Bill for Safety Protocols in Nursing Homes
GREENSBURG – Pennsylvania Senator Kim Ward (39th) is introducing legislation that will require safety protocols for Pennsylvania nursing homes to be implemented during an emergency disaster proclamation issued by the Governor in relation to a communicable disease.
The legislation will require nursing homes to follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidance upon the issuance of an emergency proclamation by the Governor. The bill will also prohibit the admittance of any individual who is confirmed to have a communicable disease for which an emergency proclamation has been issued and still within the time frame of being infectious.
Senator Ward states, “The Administration failed to protect our most vulnerable living in nursing homes. The Department of Health ordered those facilities to accept COVID-19 patients, while at the same time our hospitals had available beds and better safety protocols in place to mitigate the spread”.
Nursing homes in Pennsylvania were not required to follow the Center for Disease Control’s guidance relative to COVID-19 in the beginning of the pandemic. Additionally, known COVID-19 patients may have been transported into nursing homes rather than remaining in hospitals with unoccupied beds.
“Protecting the most vulnerable is a priority. These residents deserve protection during any pandemic. This legislation will bring guidance and clarity to nursing home residents, employees and family members”, Senator Ward states.
Contact: Caitrin Wilson. 724-600-7002. cwilson@pasen.gov