Nursing home resident protections
- Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz a Democrat from Florida and Congressman Tim Wahlberg who is a Republican from Michigan introduced protections for residents in nursing homes during emergencies.
- The house bill (H. R. 4704) provides in pertinent part that skilled nursing facilities shall meet certain emergency preparedness requirements.
- The facility must have in place alternative sources of energy capable of powering heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for at least 96 hours.
- Failure to comply with these provisions would subject the facility to a civil money penalty not to exceed $100,000.