Editorial: Site shows a federal Catch-22

Monday, Nov. 18, 2002 | 9:54 a.m.

When the time comes for a family to select a nursing home for a loved one, nothing is more important than knowing what to ask. In this respect, the federal government's new website on nursing homes (www.medicare.gov) performs a valuable service. Many people would not ordinarily know what to look for in choosing a good home and this site fills that information gap. It allows users to obtain general information about nursing homes, as well as specific information about the home or homes they are considering. The site also offers information that allows users to compare nursing homes in a number of critical categories, both with other area nursing homes and with the national and state averages.

The site has been criticized by some nursing home administrators, who say some of the comparative data -- such as the percentage of residents with bed sores -- could unfairly brand some nursing homes as bad when there may be satisfactory explanations. They have a point, but nevertheless the data gives families a chance to ask questions and gain a greater understanding of how the home operates. It will also serve to motivate those homes that consistently post low scores and which do not have good explanations.

One major point brought home by the website is the complexity of running a nursing home. Visitors to the website will learn about appropriate staffing levels, training and conduct. They will learn about a home's need for certifications, good lighting, proper furniture, nutritious food, activities, special services, cleanliness -- the list is lengthy and the expense of a nursing home becomes obvious. Yet while the Bush administration is pushing quality on this website, it's simultaneously cutting federal funding for nursing homes. We can only hope that President Bush is among the visitors to the website and learns the consequences of his decision to cut Medicare and of his refusal to adequately fund Medicaid.