Kentucky Nursing Home Industry Uses $1.8M to Choke Reform: Report
Published: August 31st, 2010 • No Comments
Kentucky nursing home companies dropped $1.8 million in the laps of state politicians since the turn of the century in order to fight bills that would require more direct-care employees to help reduce the risks of nursing home neglect.
An analysis by the Lexington Herald-Ledger revealed the campaign contributions as part of an ongoing series on the state’s nursing home woes. The investigative pieces has resulted in Governor Steve Beshear calling for a review of how the state handles nursing home neglect and abuse complaints. A similar investigative series by the Chicago Tribune has led to massive changes in how Illinois manages its nursing home system.
The Herald-Ledger pointed out in its story that Governor Beshear has received nearly $60,000 in nursing home industry campaign funding and that his brother works at a nursing home.
Most Kentucky nursing home bills are introduced in the state House Health and Welfare Committee, where they usually die. The committee is chaired by Tom Burch of Louisville, whose former aide, Eric Clark, is chief lobbyist for the for-profit nursing home industry in the state.
