Senators Compliment CMS Website - But Want More Transparency

Senators Compliment CMS on Nursing Website but Push Bi-Partisan Bill for More Info

Democrat Kohl, Republican Grassley push bill to expand transparency

April 28, 2008 – Two U.S. Senators from different parties came together last Friday to compliment the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for increasing the information available on their Website, Nursing Home Compare, but they say the agency has a ways to go to achieve the transparency and information for consumers called for in the Senate bill they have crafted.

Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) complimented CMS Acting Administrator Kerry Weems for identifying on the site the most troubled nursing homes. They have been designated as Special Focus Facilities (SFF) by CMS.

Kohl and Grassley said that CMS still has a long way to go to meet the demands called for in their bipartisan bill, the Nursing Home Transparency and Improvement Act (S. 2641), which would require Nursing Home Compare to display accurate, timely information in a format that can be easily understood by consumers across the country.

“Americans should have access to as much information about a nursing home as possible," said Kohl.

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