Senator Proposes 3-Strike Rule for Nursing Homes

17 Dec Senator Proposes 3-Strike Rule for Nursing Homes

Texas has had its fair share of bad press when it comes to the level of care provided by nursing homes in our state.

This year, the Lone Star State topped the list chronicling the worst facilities providing nursing home care. A Texas senator has thus taken it upon himself to try to change this outlook by proposing tougher sanctions targeting the worst of the worst with regard to nursing home care.

Mel-Rose Nursing Home Targeted

Senator Charles Schwertner originally proposed recommendations back in August of 2014 after he held a meeting with the Sunset Advisory Committee. He singled out seven nursing homes, with one situated in East Texas. He named Eastwood Care and Rehab (also known as Mel-Rose Care and Rehab), as being one of the worst perpetrators of nursing home regulations licensed by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

The nursing home administrator allegedly admitted that the home had more than 70 deficiencies before he came in to put a plan in place to turn things around. Mel-Rose, which is now owned by Northcreek Healthcare, received a new license in August of 2014.

Three Strikes Rule

Senator Schwertner proposed that all nursing home care facilities should be held accountable via a "three strikes rule" when it comes to violating rules. If three violations happen (on separate days) within a 2 year period, the facility loses their license.

In a phone interview to ABC KLTV, the senator stressed that there needed to be some finality to repeated regulation infractions, and that Texans should rest easy in knowing that their loved ones are being given the care they need in these facilities as well as kept safe from abuse and neglect.

The three strikes plan will be discussed in next year’s legislative session.

UPDATE (June 24th, 2015):
The Texas Senate approved the bill 30-0, it was then approved 138-1 in the Texas House of Representatives, and Governor Abbott just signed the bill into law. The new law takes effect beginning September 1st, 2016.