LeadingAge NY Urges Commissioner to Reconsider Enforcement Approach
On Dec. 21st, LeadingAge NY sent New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker this letter outlining concerns about the citations members are receiving regarding late Health Emergency Response Data System (HERDS) survey submissions and nursing home personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile requirements. The letter highlights how the approach of imposing, or even threatening to impose, fines and professional discipline for minuscule delays, reasonable interpretations of unclear regulations, or minor shortfalls in difficult-to-source supplies is counterproductive and inconsistent with our mutual goal of promoting the highest quality resident care. LeadingAge NY requests that the Department of Health (DOH) refrain from citing and imposing fines on providers that have been consistently compliant with DOH directives.