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Panel advances bill imposing 18‑month timeline for low‑performing nursing facilities
Summary
Sen. Mizell's SB 190 would require closer LDH oversight of special‑focus nursing facilities and set an 18‑month timeline to compel improvements or revoke licenses; members debated bed availability and the effect of a long‑standing moratorium on new beds before reporting the bill favorable with amendments.
Senate Bill 190, presented by Senator Mizell, would tighten oversight of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) special‑focus nursing facilities by imposing an 18‑month timeline for improvements and giving the Louisiana Department of Health clearer authority to monitor, require remediation and, if necessary, revoke licenses.
Mizell framed the bill as a measure to protect residents who cannot speak for themselves, describing a personal family experience and arguing that some facilities operating with very low ratings have remained open too long. "This bill...puts an 18 month time limit on those facilities being allowed to operate a special focus facility," Mizell said.
Committee members repeatedly raised the practical concern that closing beds without replacements could leave residents with nowhere to go because a long‑standing moratorium limits new nursing‑home construction. Representative Jackson said he did not want closures that leave patients without placements: "I wouldn't want a facility shut down and people not to have a place to go until..." he said, and pressed the sponsor on options to replace beds if closures occur.
Senator Mizell and others agreed the 18‑month process would provide time for remediation and that the Legislature could address moratorium limits if necessary following initial implementation. The committee adopted amendments and reported SB 190 favorable with amendments.
