California Nursing Home Law Makes Their Rating More Visible

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)_ Among the new state laws going into effect in the new year is one that mandates nursing homes place their federal rating in a visible location within the facility.

California is the first state in the nation to enact such a law.

Starting January 1st any Medicare or Medicaid certified nursing home in California by law must post their federal star rating in public, communal and employee break areas.

Until now, the ratings could only be viewed online.

Assemblyman Mike Feuer of Los Angeles authored the legislation explaining the importance for patients and families to have the information accessible to them at what can be a vulnerable time.

But Pat McGinniss, executive director of the San Francisco based California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, said the federal five-star rating system that went into effect in 2008 doesn't accurately reflect a home's quality.

McGinnis said a lot of what goes into the rating is facility reported but not audited and it doesn't include complaints or citations issued in California.

"Our concern is that people will just look at a four star and say; oh well, this is a great facility," she said.

Feuer said the new law is a step in the right direction since up until now a nursing home's rating could only be viewed online.

"That initial rating being posted in the window is going to give you that initial information that I think will provide a good start to that process.

Facilities that fail to post their ratings face a range of potential fines.

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