Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, November 27, 2001

HEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suit* 304 LuHmvill*, Morylond 21093 315 Cannon Hoot* Office Building Woffiington, D C 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Tuesday, November 27, 2001 202/225-3061 Bush Administration Will Help Maryland’s Seniors Find the Best in Nursing Care WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) commended the Bush Administration this week for launching a five-state initiative to help Medicare and Medicaid dependents find a nursing home within their state that is best suited to their own personal needs. The state of Maryland was selected as one the five participating states. Beginning in January 2002, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will identify, collect, and publish information on nursing homes in Maryland, Colorado, Ohio, Rhode Island, and Washington. Information published by CMS will pertain to a nursing home’s ability to treat conditions commonly reported by beneficiaries. These include weight loss, infections, pain management, declines in activities on a daily basis, managing delirium, improvement in walking and re-hospitalizations. Congressman Ehrlich stated, “Freedom of choice is one of the most important aspects to finding quality care for our elderly. With this initiative, the Bush Administration helps Maryland’s seniors and their families compare nursing homes and find medical care best suited to their own individual needs.” CMS will begin publishing this information in April 2002 in an effort to educate families on how quality and performance can differ among nursing homes. The information will be available online at www.medicare.gov. Congressman Ehrlich continued, “President Bush and HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson are committed to keeping nursing care providers accountable to our seniors and their loved ones.” Over the next several years, CMS will develop and publish similar consumer information for home health agencies, hospitals, and other providers. For more information, beneficiaries can call the 1 -800-MEDICARE toll-free phone service. ###