Pascrell Praises Biden Administration Action to Increase Nursing Home Transparency

Proposed federal rule would require nursing homes to reveal owners, operators

PATERSON, NJ – U.S. Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) today offered his support for new federal rule proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that would improve transparency to help nursing home residents and their families. When implemented, the rule would require nursing homes to better disclose their owners, operators, and other parties with a financial stake in the facility’s operations. Amid private equity’s growing control of nursing homes around the country, Congressman Pascrell has led congressional efforts to reform the industry, increase oversight, and protect seniors.

“Private equity firms have been investing billions of dollars to increase their control over our health care system while remaining hidden in the shadows. Enough is enough. This proposed rule will bring needed sunlight to what is happening in the senior care industry,” said Rep. Pascrell, a member of the House Ways and Means Committee. “I stand with the Biden Administration in defense of nursing home residents and their families across the country who deserve to know who is pulling the strings and cutting costs. I have long fought to increase transparency and oversight of our health care industry and this new rule proposed by President Biden is a significant means to that end. I look forward to its swift and final implementation.”

In Congress, Rep. Pascrell has led federal efforts to increase accountability within nursing homes and long-term care facilities. In 2021, Rep. Pascrell convened a congressional hearing on private equity’s expanded role in the U.S. health care system as then-Chairman of the Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee, and he authored an op-ed on the subject in The Record. Pascrell also has requested the Government Accountability Office examine the relationship between private equity investments and subsequent bankruptcies or closures of health care facilities across the United States.

Pascrell also advocates for other industry reforms, including through his cosponsorship of the Nursing Home Reform Modernization Act in 2021, bipartisan legislation that would increase oversight, enforcement, and technical assistance for nursing homes.

After learning of a COVID-19 outbreak at the Paramus Veterans Home in April 2020, Rep. Pascrell demanded an investigation and worked to get New Jersey National Guard support into the facility within hours. He also called for the resignation of the home’s CEO and worked to increase state oversight of the facility.

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