August 10, 2015 |

Pennsylvania creates task force to oversee nursing home care

After a prominent Pennsylvania nursing home chain was accused of providing inadequate care for residents, State Health Secretary Karen Murphy created a task force to help oversee long-term care (LTC) facility operations. Golden Gate National Senior Care LLC is alleged to have provided insufficient care in 14 nursing homes between 2008 and 2014. Attorney General Kathleen Kane filed a lawsuit against the organization last month.

"I was deeply disturbed by these allegations regarding some Pennsylvania nursing homes and said we would take immediate steps to address the situation,” Murphy said in a press release. "Today I am pleased to announce the Department of Health has formed a task force to determine what additional measures can be taken to ensure enhanced quality in these facilities."

The task force has been asked to identify ways the health department can advance quality improvement in the state's LTC facilities. The goal is to review regulations and suggest areas for change. Members of the task force include state officials, national academic experts on LTC and lawmakers.

Megan Combs

Megan Combs was Associate Editor of I Advance Senior Care / Long Term Living from 2013-2018.