The Michigan House has voted to advance a plan authored by Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian, to improve the quality of care for people living in nursing homes by establishing clear and consistent standards for Michigan health care surveyors.

The legislation would improve the state’s regulatory process to ensure Michigan nursing home care providers are evaluated and regulated in a fair, accurate, and timely manner, and with the same equality as those in other states.

Kahle, who chairs the House Health Policy Committee, said the current regulatory environment is impeding health providers from continuing to provide quality care and support their communities.

Michigan is an outlier in both the frequency, scope and severity of citations, despite the state’s level of quality in its nursing homes being at or above the care provided in other states.

Nursing facilities have become more agile and innovative after the trials and tribulations of the pandemic. Rather than recognizing the struggles and successes of individual providers, or offering support and guidance through the pandemic, the state’s regulatory has added more hurdles by way of unfair regulation practices.

“Those who provide care for our most vulnerable individuals should be evaluated in a fair, accurate and timely manner,” said Kahle, former director of the Adrian Senior Center. “The dedicated individuals working in our skilled nursing facilities across Michigan must be able to provide the absolute best care and support to our seniors, patients and their families.”

Kahle’s plan, House Bill 5609, was sent the Senate for further consideration.

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