Congressman Steven Horsford Delivers Remarks on the COVID-19 Crisis in America’s Nursing Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Steven Horsford delivered remarks on the COVID-19 crisis in America's nursing homes during the Ways and Means Committee markup of President Biden's American Rescue Plan.

In his remarks, Congressman Horsford spoke about the high pandemic mortality rate among nursing home residents, and called for expanded data collection on COVID-19 infections and deaths in these facilities.

In coming weeks, Congressman Horsford will reintroduce the Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Act, which would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to collect demographic information on COVID-19 infections and deaths among nursing home residents. Collecting this data would allow CMS to better track and address the disproportionate impact of the virus on communities of color. The Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Act was previously introduced in the 116th Congress.

Congressman Horsford's remarks can be viewed here and downloaded here. A full transcript of his remarks, as prepared for delivery, can be viewed below.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I move to strike the last word.

I appreciate you leading today's markup in support of funding to improve quality and infection control measures of COVID-19 in Skilled Nursing Facilities.

COVID-19 is not only rampant in nearly every state, but also knocking on the door of nearly every nursing home.

COVID-19 has killed more than 136,000 residents and staff of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities- representing about 40 percent of all coronavirus fatalities in the U.S.

Just between September and December 2020, COVID-19 deaths and cases in nursing homes increased fourfold.

Between residents and staff, there were 20,000 COVID-19 deaths and more than 200,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in nursing homes in the four weeks ending December 20.

These are by far the highest numbers since the federal government began collecting and reporting these data in late May.

These numbers are much higher due to a lack of sufficient reporting.

In Nevada it is estimated that one-third of nursing home residents who died after contracting COVID-19 had not been publicly reported.

We must do better by our seniors.

To combat these gaps in reporting, I plan to reintroduce the Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Act of 2020.

My bill would require CMS to collect demographic information on COVID-19 infections and deaths and track the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on communities of color.

I can only imagine how terrifying it must be for residents and how heartbreaking it is for their families to have so little information and lack the ability to see their loved ones.

It is our job to ensure the quality care for residents through adequate staffing, oversight, and access to in-person formal advocates, called long-term care Ombudsmen.

To improve outcomes for our nursing home seniors, we must provide direct support that targets infection control and improves the overall quality and health for our seniors.

Again, thank you Mr. Chairman for your leadership on this issue and for our seniors across the country.

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