A debate over how many nurses must be on hand in long term care facilities will continue at the state capitol.After repeated stories of abuse, a law passed in 2010 requires nursing homes have more staff to care for patients. The debate is over who'll provide some of that care. Nursing home owners are balking at a proposal to force them to have registered nurses provide care twenty percent of the time. They say registered nurses are too expensive, and lesser-trained nurses can do the job.
But advocates for nursing home residents say R.N.'s provide higher-quality care. Arrie Jones came to Springfield from Chicago to attend a legislative hearing. Jones says she was motivated to fight for the rights of nursing home residents when a man in a facility fell to his death from a window. She says the nursing home employees did not find him. A neighbor found him outside. She says she's concerned there's not enough R.N. care in nursing homes."
Jones says she's concerned after a panel of lawmakers voted against the R-N requirement. But the issue isn't over. state lawmakers say they want more time. They're set to revisit the issue next month.
