News

Click the headline above to see our response to federal charges against Villa Healthcare.

On June 30, 2025, United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced a settlement with two Villa LLCs and six Villa nursing homes in southeast Michigan to resolve a lawsuit alleging that Villa violated the False Claims Act by systemically failing to provide services to nursing home residents and/or providing materially and grossly substandard services to nursing home residents as well as inadequate staffing and care. Under the terms of the settlement for the fraud case, the Villa defendants agreed to pay $4,500,000 to the United States and the State of Michigan. In addition, the defendants will enter into a five year Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

“Despite requirements that nursing homes file state and federal cost reports each year, we still really can’t tell where all that taxpayer money going,” said Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, also called MEJI. “We don’t know if it’s being squirreled away in excessive profits or whether it’s actually being used completely appropriately to meet very vulnerable people’s needs.”

Nursing homes are required to file lengthy cost reports each year, but there is little oversight of the practice of nursing homes paying themselves for services, said long-time consumer advocates Alison Hirschel and Sarah Slocum.

On Wednesday, June 4, the Michigan House Judiciary Committee heard testimony from MEJI's Nicole Shannon on House Bills 4418-4419, which would permit family members to consent to medical treatment on behalf of incapacitated loved ones. Michigan is an outlier, as the vast majority of other states already have similar provisions in place. These bills represent years of hard work from the Michigan Attorney General's Elder Abuse Task Force and MEJI staff. "These bills represent a common sense alternative to guardianship that is already in place across the country. It is time for Michigan to join," said Shannon.

Please click the headline above to access the report.

The Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI), in collaboration with the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, has released a new report examining financial practices of some low-performing Michigan nursing home chains. The report reveals how substantial public funding intended for resident care may be siphoned off as hidden profits, leaving many facilities with chronic understaffing, inadequate care, and diminished quality of life. Focusing on four nursing home chains with documented histories of poor performance, the report highlights the consequences of weak financial oversight and the urgent need for reform. It proposes common sense solutions that are being considered or have already been implemented in other states.

"Thank you to the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative and the Region 2 Ombudsman for advocating for Michiganders in long term care and educating our staff."

Long-Term Care Policy Specialist for Michigan Elder Justice Initiative Michael Daeschlein speaks on a panel of health advocates in Lansing, Michigan about the importance of Medicaid

On April 29, 2025, MEJI staff and the Olmstead Coalition held a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the US Supreme Court's Olmstead Decision, titled "Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services: Investing in Care at Home." Over 120 people attended the event at the Anderson House Office Building in Lansing, where they heard from national and state speakers, including a panel of Medicaid beneficiaries and caregivers. Governor Whitmer issued a tribute to the Olmstead Coalition, recognizing its work in support of home and community-based services and the individuals who rely on them.

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI) is proud to announce the launch of new and improved websites for both MEJI and the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP). These new websites are the culmination of a year-long process that included the creation of a new MEJI logo and visual identity.

It was a disappointing day in Lansing for advocates of guardianship reform. A senate committee did not vote on several bills that would change Michigan's guardianship laws.