Nursing home sues state attorney general

Bloomfield Nursing Operations LLC, is one of seven New Mexico nursing homes named in a lawsuit initiated by state Attorney General (AG) Hector Balderas. The state’s lawsuit claims that these facilities failed to deliver adequate care from 2007 to 2012, jeopardizing their residents and defrauded the government.

In a counter lawsuit filed against Balderas, Bloomfield contends that the attorney general violated the state public records law by refusing to release communications between his office and out-of-state firms it is working with, reports The Albuquerque Journal.

Bloomfield’s attorneys have also asked for additional documents and records, along with the names and interview transcripts of witnesses outlined in the state’s lawsuit.

The AG's office claims that some information falls under an exemption for burdensome or overly broad requests, attorney-client privilege or safeguarding the identity of an informant. The nursing homes lawyers note that while the exemptions might be valid, the AG violated the law by not providing the records in a timely manner.

The Bloomfield requests are an attempt to distract from the AG’s suit “involving substandard care and appalling conditions for vulnerable nursing home residents,” said Balderas’ spokesman James Hallinan.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.