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REMINDER AND REVISED COMMENTS: Oppose the Rollback of Emergency Preparedness Rules: Submit Comments to CMS by November 19!

November 07, 2018

Thank you to everyone who has already submitted comments to oppose the rollback of the emergency preparedness rules.

For those who haven't: There is still time to do so. Note that the sample comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging have been revised to reflect findings from an investigative report, "Sheltering in Danger," by the Minority Staff of the Senate Finance Committee. This report concluded that current federal emergency preparedness standards are too weak.

The proposed emergency preparedness rule issued by CMS would change a number of key provisions in the current rule. Under the proposal, facilities would only be required to review and update their emergency plan, policies and procedures, communication plan, and training and testing program every two years rather than annually. Also, staff training on emergency preparedness would no longer be required annually, but instead only every other year. To read more about the proposed changes, click here.

Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging are extremely concerned that the proposed revisions would make nursing homes less ready when disaster strikes and subject residents to greater danger, and even death.

CMS needs to hear from all of us that this proposed regulation is not acceptable! Follow the easy steps below to submit comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging opposing this proposed rule AND sign Consumer Voice's sign-on letter.

Submit comments prepared by Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging by 11:59 PM ET on November 19, 2018:

1. You can choose from two sample comment templates:

   • Click here to download shorter comments. 

   • Click here to download more in-depth comments addressing specific provisions in the rule.

2. Personalize your comments with your name, your organization's name (if applicable), and your own experiences, observations, or concerns about the impact of these proposed changes.

3. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/comment?D=CMS-2018-0106-0001 to submit your comments.  For step-by-step instructions that navigates you through the comment portal, click here.

​Sign on to Consumer Voice's letter by 5 PM ET on Friday, November 16, 2018:

1. Sign on to our comment letter.

Please click the following links to fill out your information.

• ORGANIZATIONS/GROUPS ONLY - Click here and fill out your organization's information.
• INDIVIDUALS ONLY - Click here and fill out your information.

Additional Information

• Read the proposed rule here.
• To learn more about the proposed rule, click here.
• To learn more about emergency preparedness, click here.
• To read the Senate Finance Committee report, click here.
• Share the following link on social media to encourage others to submit comments: http://theconsumervoice.org/news/detail/latest/reminder-and-revised-comments-on-ep-rules.

Questions?  Contact us at info@theconsumervoice.org.