Copyright 2006 Capital City Press
All Rights Reserved
By MARSHA SHULER
The Advocate
The state Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan aimed at improving nursing home evacuations for hurricanes or other major disasters.
The Senate voted 37-0 for the legislation — a compromise between the Blanco administration and nursing home operators.
An estimated 70 nursing home patients from 13 nursing homes died during and shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
Senate action came quickly, absent the behind-the-scenes fights over who should take responsibility and who should pay evacuation costs. The measure heads to the House, where similar legislation is to be heard by a committee today.
Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, said Senate Bill 529 would “ensure the successful evacuation and/or the shelter in place of some of our most-vulnerable citizens - residents in nursing homes.”
“I think it provides adequate safeguards,” said Jackson, with the state being the “last resort, the safety net for these residents.”
The plan affects nursing homes in a 22-parish storm-prone zone.
The state would help nursing homes get paid through Medicaid or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for evacuation-related costs.
If the attempts are unsuccessful, the state would not be liable for the expense, Jackson said.
Nursing homes are responsible for their residents’ safety. The homes must file evacuation plans by Aug. 1. A state committee will review them for feasibility.
During Katrina, some nursing homes relied on the same bus and ambulance companies, and transportation was insufficient.
The plans must include transportation, alternative housing and staffing requirements as well legal documents proving arrangements are in place.
Under the bill, the state has until April 1 to develop rules for the evacuation of nursing homes. The legislation also requires the state to help nursing homes relocate residents with “medically complex conditions.”
The state also has a role in assisting the homes evacuate if problems develop with their plans.