COVID-19 Long Term Care Facility Resource Library

News

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative Awarded Funding from Metro Health Foundation to Improve Access to Services for Older Adults

Mon, 10/19/2020

Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI) is the recipient of a grant from the Metro Health Foundation. MEJI is thrilled to receive this award and will use the funds to explore the barriers to eligibility and enrollment, inappropriate denials of services, and rights violations and racial disparities of several home and community based services programs in the Detroit area.

Alison Hirschel, Managing Attorney of Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, quoted in Michigan Radio's: "Families and advocates push for a more liberal visiting policy at long-term care facilities"

Fri, 10/09/2020

Alison Hirschel, managing attorney at the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative, says her group urges the state “every day to please reconsider these very strict restrictions.”

Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, in Becker's Hospital Review's: "Some nursing homes evicting unprofitable patients by claiming they have psych issues"

Mon, 09/21/2020

"We have been seeing these kinds of illegal discharges all the time, because nursing homes seem to have figured out that they will rarely, if ever, be penalized," said Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan ombudsman program. She said Medicaid patients requiring lots of staff attention "have a target on their back."

Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, in Health Exec's: "Nursing homes using hospitals as middlemen to bounce low-reimbursement, high-maintenance residents"

Mon, 09/21/2020

“We have been seeing these kinds of illegal discharges all the time, because nursing homes seem to have figured out that they will rarely, if ever, be penalized,” Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan ombudsman program, tells the Times. “It’s devastating for residents and their families all the time, but it’s especially horrible and dangerous during a pandemic.”

Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, quoted in The New York Times' article: "Nursing Homes Oust Unwanted Patients with Claims of Psychosis"

Sun, 09/20/2020

“We have been seeing these kinds of illegal discharges all the time, because nursing homes seem to have figured out that they will rarely, if ever, be penalized,” said Alison Hirschel, senior legal counsel to the Michigan ombudsman program. “It’s devastating for residents and their families all the time, but especially horrible and dangerous during a pandemic.”

Salli Pung, Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman, quoted in ABC WXYZ 7's segment: "Visitation at Michigan nursing homes resumes today - here are the rules"

Wed, 09/16/2020

“The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program welcomes this cautious step forward to allow outdoor visits with residents of long-term care facilities,” said Salli Pung, the program ombudsman. “We also appreciate residents will now have access to medical and non-medical services that many residents have not received for nearly six months. By promoting these vital and basic visits and services, long term care facilities can better ensure and address residents' quality of life.”

Salli Pung, Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman, quoted in The Center Square article: "Nursing home leaders plead for more interaction"

Tue, 09/15/2020

Salli Pung, the state long-term care ombudsman, said complaints to her office nearly doubled from this time last year. Close to half of the 2,600 calls were about visitation and isolation complaints.

Salli Pung, Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman, comments in WMMT-3's segment: "New order: Residential care facility residents can see loved ones for first time in months"

Tue, 09/15/2020

“The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program welcomes this cautious step forward to allow outdoor visits with residents of long-term care facilities,” Salli Pung, the program ombudsman, said. “We also appreciate residents will now have access to medical and non-medical services that many residents have not received for nearly six months. By promoting these vital and basic visits and services, long term care facilities can better ensure and address residents' quality of life.”

Jamie Hochman Herz, Legal Counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, comments in WZZM 13/ABC's report: "Cease and desist letters sent to 11 Michigan nursing homes for charging $900 COVID-19 fee"

Thu, 09/10/2020

Jamie Hochman Herz is counsel to the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. She says typically when a nursing facility wants to increase the cost of living, they must provide residents with 30 days notice.

Salli Pung, Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman, comments in NBC 25 News' segment: "New MDHHS order will allow outdoor visits at nursing homes & residential facilities"

Thu, 09/10/2020

“The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program welcomes this cautious step forward to allow outdoor visits with residents of long-term care facilities,” said Salli Pung, the program ombudsman. “We also appreciate residents will now have access to medical and non-medical services that many residents have not received for nearly six months. By promoting these vital and basic visits and services, long term care facilities can better ensure and address residents' quality of life.”

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