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News Article

New Report on the Impact of Understaffing on the Daily Lives of Nursing Home Residents

March 05, 2024

Since the Biden Administration announced its intention to propose a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes, the focus has been on how a staffing standard would hurt nursing home owners and operators. Often lost in the discussion are residents, the people who suffer the consequences of understaffing. To bring the focus back on residents, Consumer Voice surveyed over 120 nursing home residents in the fall of 2023, asking for their perspectives on staffing and how they are affected by staffing levels daily.

Take Action

Tell Your Members of Congress to Oppose H.R. 7513

March 04, 2024

In the coming days, the House of Representatives will be considering H.R. 7513, a bill that would prohibit federal regulators from ever creating rules about safe staffing in nursing homes. Send a letter to your member of Congress telling them to oppose this bill.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Family Caregivers and Family Councils

February 22, 2024

Marcella Goheen, a family member and advocate, discusses how families can individually and collectively, through family councils, be a strong voice for quality and for change in nursing homes.

News Article

Call for Proposals: Financial Transparency in Nursing Homes Project

February 15, 2024

Consumer Voice has received a two-year grant from Arnold Ventures to provide direct support, technical assistance, and training to two states interested in advocating at the state level for increased transparency and accountability in nursing home finances and ownership.

News Article

New Reference Guide on Related Party Transactions

February 06, 2024

Each year, nursing homes funnel Medicare and Medicaid dollars meant for nursing home resident care through companies they own with little to no scrutiny on how this money is used.

News Article

Consumer Voice Seeks a Policy and Program Specialist

January 10, 2024

Consumer Voice seeks a Policy and Program Specialist with at least three years of experience and a passion for consumer empowerment and justice for long-term care residents to join our team.

News Article

Visiting Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities During the Holidays

December 12, 2023

Read our newly updated fact sheet for what to look for when visiting, tips and activity ideas for visiting your loved one, ways to engage with residents, and examples of potential gifts for residents.

News Article

Amplify Your Advocacy

November 22, 2023

For nearly 50 years, Consumer Voice has been working to engage and empower long-term care residents and their families in the pursuit of quality care and services, quality of life, and protection of rights.  Support our advocacy!

News Article

CMS Issues Final Rule on Disclosure of Nursing Home Ownership

November 16, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule implementing increased ownership and managerial disclosure requirements in nursing homes.

News Article

2023 Consumer Voice Leadership Award Winners

November 14, 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Consumer Voice Leadership Award Winners! These individuals have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving the lives of long-term care consumers.

News Article

New Podcast Episode: The Measure of Our Age

November 09, 2023

In this episode, join our discussion with author M.T. Connolly as we talk about the challenges of aging well, ageism, and advocacy for a better long-term care system.

News Article

Consumer Voice and Others Comment on CMS's Proposed Nursing Home Staffing Rule

November 07, 2023

Read full comments from Consumer Voice and other organizations in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)‘s proposed nursing home staffing rule.

News Article

New Podcast Episode: Residents Amplify Their Voices for Change

October 24, 2023

Listen to the new podcast episode where we speak with nursing home resident advocates Floyd Hartley and Cindy Napolitan.

News Article

Fact Sheet: Advocating for Rights and Better Care in Nursing Homes

October 03, 2023

Consumer Voice’s new fact sheet, Advocating for Rights and Better Care, provides tips for resident and families for advocating for change in their nursing facilities and advocacy strategies for impacting long-term care policy.

News Article

New Issue of the Resident Advocate Newsletter

October 02, 2023

This newsletter provides information on residents’ rights and care issues; news and updates on national policy; and self-advocacy tips for obtaining person-centered, quality care.

News Article

Better Staffing Is Achievable: A Look at For-Profit vs. Non-Profit Nursing Homes

September 29, 2023

Read our new one-pager about how non-profit homes staff, on average, 23% higher than for-profit homes.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Amplifying the Voices of Long-Term Care Residents

September 28, 2023

Listen to the newest episode of the Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care podcast with State Ombudsmen Kelly Richards and Mairead Painter.

Take Action

Comment on the Proposed Minimum Staffing Standard in Nursing Homes

September 27, 2023

Use our step-by-step instructions to submit simple comments on CMS’s proposed minimum staffing rule in nursing homes.

News Article

GAO Report Finds Transparency Gaps in Private Equity Nursing Home Ownership

September 27, 2023

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report titled “Limitations of Using CMS Data to Identify Private Equity and Other Ownership” that shows transparency gaps in the data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify private equity and other owners in nursing homes.

News Article

CMS Must Make the Minimum Staffing Rule Stronger To Protect All Nursing Home Residents

September 22, 2023

While Consumer Voice appreciates that a standard has been proposed, it must be made much stronger so that all nursing home residents are safe and living a high quality of life.

News Article

CMS Releases Proposed Rule on Nursing Homes Minimum Staffing Standard

September 01, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the long-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) that would implement a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes.

News Article

Consumer Voice Submits Comments to ACL on Older Americans Act Program Regulations

August 23, 2023

Consumer Voice submitted comments to the Administration for Community Living (ACL)‘s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Older Americans Act.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Nursing Home Arbitration Agreements

August 18, 2023

Listen to a conversation with Victoria Schall, trial attorney, about why nursing home residents should not sign pre-dispute arbitration agreements and what arbitration may look like for residents who have already signed their contracts.

News Article

Sessions to Look Forward to at the Consumer Voice Conference

August 18, 2023

Check out can’t-miss sessions at this year’s Consumer Voice Conference - in-person in Baltimore and livestreaming.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on the U.S. Supreme Court Case on Nursing Home Residents' Rights

July 27, 2023

Listen to our new podcast episode on a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision and why it’s important for nursing home residents’ rights.

Take Action

Tell Congress to Support a Strong Minimum Staffing Standard in Nursing Homes

July 27, 2023

Contact your member of Congress to urge them to stand with nursing home residents, their families, and nursing home workers and support a strong minimum staffing standard in nursing homes.

News Article

Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues Mandatory Rules for Adult Portable Bed Rails

July 12, 2023

CPSC issued a rule establishing a mandatory performance requirement and test procedure to reduce the risk of entrapment and other hazards associated with the use of adult portable bed rails.

News Article

Consumer Voice Submits Comments to CMS Supporting Increased Access to High-Quality HCBS

July 05, 2023

Consumer Voice submitted comments and suggestions to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) supporting the proposed “Medicaid Program; Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services” rule.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Progress and Challenges for LGBTQ+ Residents in Long-Term Care Facilities

June 27, 2023

We are joined by Sherrill Wayland, Director of Special Initiatives at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for LGBTQ Elders) to discuss some of the challenges LGBTQ+ residents face.

News Article

New Fact Sheet - The Value of Being Heard: Loneliness and Isolation in Long-Term Care

June 27, 2023

Consumer Voice and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) have created a fact sheet outlining the consequences of loneliness and social isolation and providing tips to improve the social connectedness of long- term care residents.

News Article

ACL Seeks Input on Updates to Older Americans Act Program Regulations

June 15, 2023

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is seeking input on proposed updates to the regulations for its Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, including the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

News Article

Major Supreme Court Victory for Nursing Home Residents' Rights

June 13, 2023

The United States Supreme Court delivered a victory to nursing home residents residing in state run Medicaid-funded nursing facilities, by finding that these residents have a private right of action against a nursing home if it violates rights conferred upon residents by the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987.

News Article

No Country for Old People: Getting Poor Care in Highly Rated Facilities

June 08, 2023

In a new podcast episode, Consumer Voice Executive Director, Lori Smetanka, is joined by award-winning writer/director Susie Singer Carter and former federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle to discuss their upcoming documentary, No Country for Old People.

News Article

Consumer Voice Submits Comments to CMS on its Notice of Proposed Rule Making

June 07, 2023

Consumer Voice has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on its April 10, 2023 Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM).

News Article

Consumer Voice Conference Registration Open

June 01, 2023

Join us in Baltimore, and via livestreaming sessions, for a conference that educates and empowers long-term care consumers and consumer advocates.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Loneliness and Social Isolation in Long-Term Care

May 23, 2023

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Susan Wehry, a nationally recognized keynote speaker and workshop facilitator on depression, dementia, and healthy aging, about the impacts of severe isolation and extreme loneliness many residents have experienced, not just during the pandemic, but before and after.

News Article

Senate Special Committee on Aging Report: Nursing Home Survey Agencies are Severely Understaffed

May 18, 2023

The report details a nationwide staffing crisis at state survey agencies that is directly impacting the health and well-being of nursing home residents.

News Article

80% of Voters Support Minimum Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes

May 10, 2023

According to a recent poll, 80% of U.S. registered voters supported candidates who support requiring minimum staffing standards in nursing homes.

News Article

Updated Nursing Home Visitation Guidance from CMS

May 10, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated nursing home visitation guidance stating that while the Public Health Emergency is ending, CMS still expects all nursing homes to adhere to infection control procedures.

News Article

Resident Advocate Newsletter Spring 2023

May 08, 2023

Read and share the new issue of our newsletter for residents of long-term care facilities.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Facilities that Weathered the Storm of COVID-19

May 05, 2023

In this episode of the Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care podcast, David Farrell, a licensed nursing home administrator, discusses the long-term care facilities that had better outcomes than their peers during the COVID-19 pandemic and staffing crises.

News Article

Consumer Voice Sends Letter to CMS Regarding Inaccuracies on Care Compare

May 04, 2023

Consumer Voice sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), regarding the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) report which found widespread inaccuracies in the information reported to the public on Care Compare.

News Article

Vaccination Requirement for Workers and Regulatory Waivers to End

May 02, 2023

The Biden Administration announced it would be ending the federal requirement that nursing home workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued new guidance addressing how the end of the PHE would affect certain regulatory waivers.

News Article

President Biden Issues Executive Order to Increase Access to High-Quality Long-Term Care Services, Support Family Caregivers, and Create Better Jobs for Long-Term Care Workers

April 20, 2023

Consumer Voice strongly supports the actions announced in the executive order, and thanks President Biden for taking decisive action to support long-term care workers and family caregivers.

News Article

New Podcast Episode: Increase Scrutiny of Nursing Home Finances

April 18, 2023

Consumer Voice’s Sam Brooks and attorney Ernie Tosh discuss how there is little accountability for how nursing homes spend taxpayer dollars, despite receiving tens of billions of dollars each year in Medicare and Medicaid dollars.

News Article

Consumer Voice and Other Advocates Submit Comments on Proposed Nursing Home Ownership Regulations

April 14, 2023

Consumer Voice, along with other advocates, submitted comments on nursing home ownership regulations recently proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

News Article

CMS Revises Guidance for Enforcement of Infection Control Deficiencies

April 12, 2023

CMS issued revised nursing home guidance which strengthens enforcement efforts for noncompliance with infection control deficiencies and vaccine immunization requirements for staff and residents.

Take Action

Tell Congress to Support Standards for Nursing Home Staffing and Transparency

April 06, 2023

Urge your Members of Congress to support proposals that would require staffing standards in nursing homes and increase transparency and accountability for owners and use of public money.

News Article

Two New Podcast Episodes on How Inadequate Staffing Affects Quality of Life and Care

April 06, 2023

In these two episodes of the Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care podcast, we are sharing audio from two of Consumer Voice’s webinars that were part of the Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now! campaign.

News Article

New Report: How Nursing Homes Funnel Billions of Dollars Through Related Party Companies with Little Scrutiny from the Federal Government

March 28, 2023

Consumer Voice is releasing its new report, “Where Do the Billions of Dollars Go? A Look At Nursing Home Related Party Transactions,” which documents how each year nursing homes funnel billions of dollars through related party companies (companies they own) with little to no oversight by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

News Article

2022 Annual Report

March 27, 2023

Consumer Voice’s Annual Report highlights the year’s priorities and accomplishments.

News Article

Members of Congress Send Letter to CMS Urging Enactment of a Minimum Staffing Standard in Nursing Homes

March 21, 2023

In a March 13, 2023 letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, 113 members of Congress urged CMS to propose strong mandatory minimum staffing standards in the proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Medicare payment rule.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Staffing Standards Benefitting Residents and Workers

March 15, 2023

Hear from a nursing home worker and resident about what it’s like to work and live in a nursing home without adequate staff.

News Article

Avoiding Drugs Used as Chemical Restraints: Residents' Rights and Facility Responsibilities

March 08, 2023

A new booklet as a part of the Avoiding Drugs as Chemical Restraints campaign provides information and tips on having clear communication with long-term care providers, ensuring that resident needs are met, how to provide nonpharmacological interventions, what to do if an antipsychotic drug has been prescribed, and residents’ rights regarding antipsychotic drugs.

News Article

Senators Casey and Wyden Release Report on Failures of Long-Term Care Facilities to Protect Nursing Home Residents from Extreme Weather Events

February 24, 2023

The report, released by the Senate Finance Committee and Senate Special Aging Committee, calls for the implementation of a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes and increased funding for enforcement.

News Article

Dignity for All: Staffing Standards Now!

February 23, 2023

This month marks the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s announcement of historic nursing home reforms, which included creating a minimum staffing standard.  Join our campaign to center the discussion of staffing on residents and workers.

News Article

GAO Report Calls for Increased Transparency in Nursing Home Ownership

February 03, 2023

On Thursday, February 3, 2023, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report, “Nursing Homes: CMS Should Make Ownership Information More Transparent for Consumers,” finding fault with how the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) currently provides information to consumers regarding nursing home ownership.

News Article

Advocates Send Letter to CMS in Support of Staffing Study and Their Plan to Propose Minimum Staffing Standard

February 02, 2023

Consumer Voice along with more than a dozen other advocacy organizations sent a letter to Chiquita Brooks-Lasure, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), expressing strong support for the agency’s efforts to address the staffing crisis in nursing homes across the country.

News Article

Biden Administration Announces End to Public Health Emergency

February 01, 2023

This announcement means that all outstanding waivers granted to nursing homes from certain regulatory requirements will end on May 11, 2023.

News Article

New OIG Report on First Year of COVID-19 Pandemic Dispels Myth of Inevitability of Infection, Finds Fault with Infection Surveys, and Recommends Exploring Increased Staffing to Protect Residents from Infections

January 19, 2023

The Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (OIG) released a data brief that examined how COVID-19 affected nursing homes during the first year of the pandemic.

News Article

CMS Announces Actions to Combat the Illegal Drugging of Nursing Home Residents

January 18, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced new steps to stop the inappropriate diagnosing of schizophrenia which often results in the improper use of antipsychotic medications to sedate and chemically restrain nursing home residents.

News Article

Why Nursing Homes Need a Minimum Staffing Standard

January 12, 2023

Consumer Voice has released a new issue brief examining why staffing is important in nursing homes and what a federal staffing standard should include.

News Article

MACPAC Report Calls for Increased Transparency in How Nursing Homes Spend Medicaid Dollars

January 06, 2023

MACPAC, a non-partisan legislative branch agency that provides policy and data analysis and makes recommendations to Congress on Medicaid programs, issued a report finding that without increased transparency in how nursing homes spend Medicaid dollars, it could not properly calculate the actual costs of providing care to Medicaid residents in nursing homes.

News Article

New Podcast Episodes: Visiting Nursing Homes During the Holidays and What Residents and Families Need to Know About COVID-19 Boosters

December 20, 2022

Two new episodes of the Pursing Quality Long-Term Care podcast are now available: Visiting Nursing Homes This Holiday Season and What Nursing Home Residents and Their Families Need to Know about COVID-19 Vaccinations and Boosters.

Take Action

Urge Your Members of Congress to Include Provisions that Support and Protect Nursing Home Residents in End of Year Appropriations Bill

December 06, 2022

Nursing home residents need your help! Contact your members of Congress today and tell them to stand with nursing home residents and include nursing home provisions in an end of year appropriations bill.

News Article

DOH Report Identifies Residents at Increased Risk of Discharge from Nursing Homes

December 01, 2022

A recent report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services used Medicare data to identify certain characteristics or risk factors that placed nursing home residents at an increased risk of discharge

News Article

CPSC Issues Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Use of Adult Portable Bed Rails

November 29, 2022

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking about the use of adult portable bed rails.  Comments are due by January 9, 2023.

News Article

New Guidance from CDC to Reduce Spread of COVID-19 in Assisted Living Facilities

November 29, 2022

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 within congregate settings, including assisted living facilities.

News Article

Help Us Carry the Voices of Residents to Policymakers

November 28, 2022

With your continued help we will be at the table as decisions are being made to ensure the well-being of residents is at the center of any policy development and ensure resident voices are heard.

News Article

Spending Time with Loved Ones During the Holidays

November 23, 2022

The holiday season is quickly approaching and nursing home residents will soon be welcoming an increased number of loved ones visiting their facilities. With a little planning and preparation, residents can visit with their loved ones and stay safe during their holiday visits! Remember: Residents have the right to see visitors of their choosing when they choose, and residents can leave their facilities to visit with family, participate in community activities, or for any other reason.

News Article

OIG Report Shows Failures to Stop Illegal Drugging

November 18, 2022

Report from Office of Inspector General (OIG) reveals that CMS’s ten-year effort to stop illegal drugging of nursing home residents has failed.

News Article

CMS Relaxes Enforcement of Nursing Home Staff Vaccination Mandate

November 01, 2022

Despite noting its success, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it was relaxing enforcement practices regarding its mandate that all nursing home staff be vaccinated against COVID-19.

News Article

New Fact Sheet on Community Engagement within Long-Term Care Facilities

October 26, 2022

A new fact sheet, Inspiring Community Engagement with Long-Term Care Facilities, provides ideas for building community within a long-term care facility and becoming a part of the larger community outside of the facility.

News Article

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Actions to Increase Accountability and Improve Quality in Nursing Homes

October 26, 2022

Central to the announcement were changes to the Special Focus Facilities (SFF) program and newly available funds to support good-quality nursing home jobs.

News Article

Guidance for Masking During Visitation in Nursing Homes

October 24, 2022

New fact sheet available explaining CMS guidance for masking during visitation in nursing homes.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Residents' Rights

October 20, 2022

In this episode, join us as we speak about this year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme, Inspiring Unity within Our Community. Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, and Jocelyn Bogdan, Senior Policy Specialist, discuss why having a community is important, how residents can exercise their rights around their community, and examples of ways residents, families, and staff can help build a community for residents living in long-term care.

News Article

Nursing Home Abuse: How to Spot It and How to Get Help

October 14, 2022

A new fact sheet from Consumer Voice and the National Center on Elder Abuse provides information on how families can identify abuse and what to do if you suspect abuse is occurring.

News Article

Consumer Voice Joins Amicus Brief Emphasizing Residents' Rights

October 12, 2022

Consumer Voice joined an amicus brief, filed with partner organizations, to the U.S. Supreme Court in Health and Hospital Corp. v. Talevski on behalf of residents of nursing facilities to maintain their ability to enforce their rights under the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act and Section 1983.

News Article

CMS Waives Training and Certification Requirements for 15 States

October 11, 2022

CMS has waived the full training and certification requirements for nurse aides in long-term care facilities for fifteen states. 

News Article

New Issue of The Resident Advocate Newsletter

October 10, 2022

The Fall 2022 issue of The Resident Advocate is now available. This newsletter provides information on residents’ rights and care issues; news and updates on national policy; and self-advocacy tips for obtaining person-centered, quality care.

News Article

Consumer Voice Submits Comments on Rule Prohibiting Discrimination in Healthcare

October 04, 2022

Consumer Voice sent a letter to the Office for Civil Rights at the Department of Health and Human Services commenting on the notice of proposed rulemaking on Section 1557 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The Health Care Rights Law (Section 1557 of the ACA) prohibits discrimination in health care on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability.

News Article

It's Residents' Rights Month!

October 01, 2022

Residents’ Rights Month is an opportunity to focus on and celebrate the dignity and rights of every individual receiving long-term services and supports.

News Article

New CDC/CMS Guidance Ends Some Indoor Masking Requirements in Long-Term Care Facilities

September 27, 2022

Under the new guidance, nursing homes in counties where COVID-19 community transmission is not high can choose not to require visitors to wear face coverings or masks while in the facility, except during an outbreak.

News Article

Additional Medicare Nursing Home Ownership Data Publicly Available

September 27, 2022

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), has made additional data publicly available on the ownership of all Medicare-certified nursing homes.

News Article

GAO Report Details Infection Control Failures During Pandemic and Makes Recommendations for Reform

September 21, 2022

On September 14, 2022, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report detailing the catastrophic failure of nursing homes to protect residents from COVID-19.

News Article

High Staff Turnover: A Job Quality Crisis in Nursing Homes

September 08, 2022

A new Consumer Voice report shows that nursing homes with higher staff turnover provide poorer care; have higher instances of resident abuse; and have higher numbers of substantiated resident complaints.

News Article

CMS Continues to Allow Nursing Homes to Employ Uncertified Staff

August 31, 2022

Despite ending the waiver in June, CMS continues to allow nursing homes to employ uncertified staff for longer than four months. On August 29, 2022, CMS issued formal guidance to nursing homes, counties, and states on how they may continue to operate without properly certified staff.

News Article

CMS Provides Details on Staffing Study

August 24, 2022

Central to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ goal of establishing a minimum staffing standard is a multi-faceted staffing study to be conducted by CMS.

News Article

Legislation that Would Improve Nursing Home Conditions Introduced in House

August 17, 2022

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky has introduced the Linking Investors and Nursing Home Quality (LINHQ) Act and the Infrastructure Modernization Project Related to the Overall Enhancement of Nursing Homes Act (IMPROVE Nursing Homes Act).

News Article

CMS Updates Nursing Home Regulations

August 10, 2022

The new regulations from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) included changes to the requirements for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services and updates to the Life Safety Code.

News Article

Reference Guide and Summary of CMS's Updated Nursing Home Guidance

July 12, 2022

Consumer Voice has created a Reference Guide and summary to help consumers understand and access updated guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Action Update

Tell Your Member of Congress to Hold Nursing Homes Accountable

July 12, 2022

Have you taken all three of our recent actions? 1) Schedule a Visit; 2) Send a Message; 3) Make a Phone Call

News Article

CMS Issues New Guidance and Training for Nursing Home Surveyors

June 30, 2022

On June 29, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued long-awaited guidance to state survey agencies.

News Article

Registration Open for 2022 Consumer Voice Conference

June 22, 2022

Join us in-person in Baltimore, Maryland November 14-16, 2022 and virtually December 8-9, 2022.

Take Action

Use Our Advocacy Toolkit to Set Up a Visit to Urge Your Member of Congress to Support Policies that Hold Nursing Homes Accountable

June 21, 2022

Nursing homes have been telling Members of Congress why they can’t provide quality care and hire staff.  Your Members need to hear from YOU to say “Yes, they can” and to support policies that will hold the nursing homes accountable.

News Article

Consumer Voice Executive Director Speaks at Elder Justice Coordinating Council Meeting

June 21, 2022

Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka participated in a discussion on nursing home reform, enforcement and residents’ rights.

News Article

New Podcast Episode on Addressing Abuse in Long-Term Care Facilities

June 15, 2022

In this podcast episode we are talking with Dr. Laura Mosqueda, a professor of Family Medicine and Geriatrics, and Beverley Laubert, the National Ombudsman Program Coordinator at the Administration for Community Living about abuse of those living in long-term care facilities – an issue that affects thousands of residents of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other long-term care settings.

News Article

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15

June 15, 2022

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) serves as a call-to-action for our communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders, and reaffirm our commitment to the principle of justice for all.

Take Action

Submit Detailed Responses to CMS Regarding Staffing

May 26, 2022

Get our detailed model responses to submit to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding a minimum staffing standard in nursing homes.

Take Action

Quick & Easy: Submit Suggested Responses to CMS Regarding Staffing

May 24, 2022

Using our quick suggested response it only takes a couple of minutes to make your voice heard!