Las Vegas Sun

November 30, 2009

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Editorial: Long-term care, but short-term planning

Wednesday, July 31, 2002 | 9:19 a.m.

The Nevada Bureau of Licensure and Certification is proposing a 170 percent increase in the fee for licensing assisted-living facilities. The bureau says the sudden jump is needed to provide proper oversight of the growing number of facilities and the increasing number of complaints they generate. We do not dispute its need for more funds. A better job of planning for growth, however, would end the need for sudden and sharp increases that facilities -- and their clients who must absorb the cost -- cannot afford.

Such suddenness leads to vicious cycles -- facilities must pass on the costs and lose many clients, or absorb the costs and cut services, which will result in more complaints and even higher fees. Fees have not been raised since 1997, when they should have been gradually increased each year. Also, licensing long-term care facilities is a state responsibility, and part of its cost should come from the state budget. Such a critical service should not have to depend on fees alone.

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