Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, May 19, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 205 1 5 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Richard Cross May 19, 1997 202-225-3061 EHRLICH NURSE AIDE BILL BECOMES LAW President Bill Clinton has signed into law legislation sponsored by Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-2nd., MD) which will ease the burden placed on nursing facilities and consumers by an unnecessary federal regulation. Currently a nursing facility may lose its ability to offer a facility-based, nurse aide training program for reasons other than the quality of the training program. The Ehrlich law will prevent the termination of certain training programs where the reason for the termination is unrelated to the quality of the program itself, and where no alternative training program exists within a reasonable distance. “This is a health care issue of particular importance to rural America,” stated Congressman Ehrlich. “My bill will guarantee nursing homes in rural or remote areas continued access to nurse aides. This will ensure that residents receive high quality personal care and also allow the nursing staff to focus more on the delivery of quality medical care. Additionally, CBO has determined this bill to be budget neutral.” The U. S. House of Representatives passed Ehrlich’s bill (H. R. 968) on April 8. Similar legislation — S. 452, sponsored by Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) — was passed by the Senate on April 30. Since coming to Congress in 1995, Congressman Ehrlich has had three bills signed into law. c