Action Update

Consumer Voice Recommends Increased Funding for Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

May 15, 2018

Consumer Voice sent a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations recommending an increase of $24.98 million in funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.  The letter emphasized the long-term care ombudsmen's role in advocating for quality care for long-term care consumers.  The letter also demonstrated the ways ombudsmen promote quality care by resolving complaints, visiting residents in facilities, providing information about long-term care to individuals, and providing information, assistance and training to long-term care facility staff.  Consumer Voice supports increased funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in order to provide residents with the advocacy, assistance, and support they need to obtain quality of care and quality of life.  The letter recommended funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program in the Elder Justice Act, level funding for federal fiscal year 2019 in Title VII, and new funding to create new ombudsman positions dedicated to assisted living, board and care, and similar community-based long-term care settings. 

Read the full letter here.