Regarding the July 12 editorial “Nursing home safeguard gone”: Thank you for informing your readers of the General Assembly’s decision to eliminate oversight and accountability for the long-term care industry by shutting down the Penalty Review Committee.
House Bill 667 is yet another secretly crafted, mean-spirited strike at our most vulnerable and fragile residents. How can this be justified except by those looking to make more profits at the expense of the elderly who most need care and compassion?
Clearly none of the sponsors of the bill have visited loved ones in a care facility and changed their diapers or the bed sheets. They have not received a phone call that their loved one was found on the floor due to a bed guardrail left down by an care provider.
If they had, they would think twice about removing a system that provided accountability. Female family members often find themselves fulfilling the care tasks that are not being done by the nursing aides because the facility is understaffed.
I can only hope we will elect representatives who have greater compassion and a sense of fairness than what we’ve seen in recent years.
Marsha Presnell-Jennette
Raleigh
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