Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Nursing Home Ownership topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Panel advances measure on private‑equity ownership of nursing homes after sharp debate
Summary
The Aging Committee moved Senate Bill 1332 to the floor after an extended discussion about private equity and real estate investment trust ownership of nursing homes. Supporters sought transparency and guardrails; some members warned the language was broad and could risk facility investment and closures.
The Aging Committee voted to refer Senate Bill 1332 — a measure addressing nursing home ownership structures and fiscal accountability — to the floor for further consideration after robust debate on Tuesday, March 4.
Representative Garibay moved the bill to JF to the floor and Representative Fortier seconded; committee members raised sharply differing views about whether the draft language would safeguard residents or unduly restrict owners and buyers.
Representative Case said nursing homes are struggling financially and warned against measures that could limit buyers and thereby blunt necessary capital investments: “We have to be careful what we wish for. And I’d rather see these facilities, the bricks and mortars, get improved along with the quality of care.”
Representative Nolan and Representative Lewinsky said they supported advancing the bill through the committee but asked for changes to narrow or clarify the language, distinguishing between private‑equity operators and real‑estate investment trusts. Senator Wong said he would support the bill as a first step to “weed out the good actors versus the bad actors” and urged future refinement.
Representative Hughes highlighted that roughly 70% of nursing home residents are Medicaid beneficiaries and said the state needs transparency to ensure public funds are spent on care rather than profit. Representative Garibay cited a Waterbury facility where ownership and financial decisions had, in her view, harmed local care.
The clerk called the roll on the motion; the committee proceeded to send the bill forward for further action and pledged continued work to refine language and oversight mechanisms.
Why it matters: Nursing home ownership structures affect how capital improvements are financed, how Medicaid dollars are spent, and the operational stability of facilities that care for older adults. The committee’s action signals intent to address private‑equity practices while members seek narrower, enforceable guardrails.
Next steps: Sponsors and committee leaders said they will continue stakeholder meetings to narrow the bill’s scope before subsequent floor or committee amendments.
