National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care: 2013 Public Policy Agenda
Goal #1: Advocate for public policies that support quality care and quality of life responsive to long-term care consumers’ needs.
The Consumer Voice will be a leader: by reducing use of restraints of all kinds by fighting against inappropriate use of pharmaceuticals, particularly on residents with dementia. The Consumer Voice will be a leader: by reducing use of restraints of all kinds by fighting against the sale and use of bed rail products that result in consumer deaths through entrapment. The Consumer Voice will be a leader: in seeking increased staff and transparency about staffing in nursing homes through support of policies that advance the 1998 Consumer Voice staffing standards, including requiring appropriate RN staffing 24/7. The Consumer Voice will be a leader: in protecting consumers’ constitutional rights by working to eliminate binding mandatory arbitration clauses in long-term care contracts and opposing proposals that would make it more difficult for long-term care consumers to seek legal remedies.
Goal #2: To develop, fund, strengthen and preserve programs, laws, and regulations that provide services for and protect long-term care consumers.
The Consumer Voice will be a leader: in advocating for reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, including amendments that preserve and strengthen elder rights, in particular the long-term care ombudsman program.