Meier urges long-term care facilities to adhere to federal and state laws, rules, regulations

House Resolution 298 is brought to us after the year of dealing with COVID. Over the last year and a half, we’ve had 10,300 long term care facility deaths 78,400 residents have been confirmed with COVID. The total separation and lack of physical contact on nursing residents has led to the feeling of loneliness, abandonment, despair and fear. And these feelings are only pushing the pandemics death toll, higher isolation and loneliness are associated with a 50% increased risk of developing dementia, a 32% increased risk of stroke, a 29% increased risk of coronary heart disease and the nearly fourfold increased risk of death among heart failure patients. The updated visitation guidance by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services dated on March 10, 2021, and April 27, 2021 emphasize that these facilities must allow end of life and compassionate care visits regardless of the community positivity rates, and outbreak or vaccination status, and any nursing home must facilitate in person visitations consistent with the applicable law, CMS regulations.