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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 16, 2020 12:59 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Todd Stephens |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Providing Transparency in Long Term Care facilities affected by COVID-19 |
Long term care facilities play a critical role in caring for our aging loved ones; they allow our older adults to live peacefully while ensuring they receive necessary care. Sadly, the coronavirus has severely impacted our senior population in Pennsylvania and that impact is clear from the data surrounding positive cases and deaths associated with long-term care facilities. As of April 15, 2020, of the 24,490 positive cases in Pennsylvania, 3,316 (13.5%) of them have been associated with a nursing home. Astoundingly, 50% (324 of 647) of the COVID-19 deaths statewide have been associated with a nursing home. In Montgomery County 64% of the COVID-19 deaths have been associated with a long-term care facility. To ensure residents of long-term care facilities and their families have the information necessary to protect themselves and their loved ones, I am introducing legislation requiring the Pennsylvania or County Department of Health to publish: 1. The number of COVID-19 cases as a percentage of the total number of residents each long-term care facility has reported to the Department of Health; and
2. The protocol for isolating positive cases. This facility-specific data is already being collected, but the Department currently only publishes data by county. This legislation will provide concerned family members with data showing the realities of the virus in the facility they have chosen/are considering for their loved ones. Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB2437