Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, October 7, 1996

NEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 7, 1996 3 1 5 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 CONTACT: Richard Cross 202-225-3061 EHRLICH NURSING HOME BILL PASSED В Y CONGRESS Before its adjournment, the 104th Congress passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. (R-2nd., MD) which will repeal a redundant federal regulation affecting the nation’s nursing homes. H. R. 3632 partially repeals federal Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASARR) requirements for nursing home residents. Under the Annual Resident Review portion of PASARR, states must screen residents for mental illness and/or mental retardation. Residents found to be in need of “specialized services” must have appropriate services provided by the state. “This requirement duplicates existing resident assessment programs which nursing facilities perform in accordance with federal law,” Congressman Ehrlich stated. “Complying with this useless regulation costs each state $700,000 in added administrative costs.” “Passage of Congressman Ehrlich’s nursing home bill is a great testament to his effectiveness as a legislator,” stated Dr. Paul Willging, Executive Vice President of the American Health Care Association. “It is rare that a freshman can draft, introduce and pass a piece of legislation in his first two-year term, much less all in a matter of months.” “Through passage of this bill,” Dr. Willging added, “Representative Ehrlich will improve