Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Long - term Care Residents' Rights Week

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS' RIGHTS WEEK -- (House of Representatives - September 22, 2004)

Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 772) supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week and recognizing the importance to the Nation of residents of long-term care facilities, including senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, almost 1.7 million Americans live in a long-term care facility somewhere in the United States. With improvements in medicine and the aging of the baby boomer generation, that number is likely to increase. Therefore, it is important that we take the steps necessary to secure the safety, dignity and happiness of our senior citizens.

In 1987, the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act was created as an important first step towards protecting the rights of senior citizens. The act guaranteed seniors the right to self-determination, to be treated with dignity and the right to voice grievances without reprisal. However, much more can be done to educate seniors about their rights.

Creating a National Long-Term Care Residents Rights' Week is a step in the right direction. One week each year, Americans will be educated about long-term care facilities and the quality of care and the quality of life that our seniors deserve.

Our seniors are a national treasure that should be valued and treated with the utmost respect. There is no question that we are a stronger, safer and more prosperous nation because of the hard work and sacrifices made by the generations that have come before us.

We are without doubt in their debt. I support the goals and ideals of National Long Term Care Residents' Rights Week, and I encourage the President to issue a proclamation that calls upon the people of the United States to observe National Long Term Care Residents' Rights Week beginning October 3.

We also need to seriously look at what is being done about the pay of individuals who work in nursing homes and especially those at the lower levels. Even as I speak today, I think of my father who is 93 years old and who is probably breathing out his last breath in a facility today, so I have a great deal of concern for those individuals who work in these facilities and who often times are paid wages that are not commensurate with the importance of the work that they do.

I also would like to express appreciation to the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for his leadership on this important piece of legislation.

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Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 772, a resolution supporting the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week and recognizing the importance of residents of long-term care facilities to our everyday lives.

I want to thank Representative TOM DAVIS and Representative DANNY DAVIS for working with me to bring this resolution to the floor in a timely manner. I also want to recognize Representative JOHN MCHUGH for joining me in sponsoring this National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week resolution.

Since coming to Congress 30 years ago, one of my top priorities has been improving the health care received by senior citizens and persons living with disabilities. It is these people whom we honor during National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, which will begin this year on October 3.

I am especially pleased to be following in the footsteps of the legendary Claude Pepper, who first introduced a resolution in 1980 to designate a Nursing Home Residents Day. As many of you may remember, Claude Pepper was a tireless advocate for the interests of senior citizens and the disabled during his five decades of public service. Since 1980, this commemoration has been broadened to include all 2.7 million persons who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and board and care facilities in the U.S.

A large number of these long-term care residents are members of America's "Greatest Generation"-those men and women who protected our freedoms in World War II and helped rebuild the world in the post-war years. Our Nation should honor and celebrate these residents, recognize their rich individuality, and reaffirm their rights. These rights include the right to privacy, the right to be treated with dignity, the right to review one's care plan, the right to voice grievances without fear of reprisal, and the right to vote.

Mr. Speaker, residents of long-term facilities are a vital part of our Nation and they deserve our honor today. I urge the passage of H. Res. 772.

Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 772, which recognizes the importance of residents of long-term care facilities to the Nation, including senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities. This resolution calls for the week beginning October 3, 2004 to be celebrated as National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week.

We should do all that we can to help senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities maintain their rights and dignity in their daily lives as they strive to participate in the community and make meaningful contributions to our society. Helping them achieve their goals and dreams, and empowering them with the resources they need to lead rewarding lives depend on making sure their rights and benefits are preserved and strengthened. The objectives set forth under this resolution are consistent with these laudable goals.

Our nation's elderly include approximately 1.7 million who are living in 17,000 nursing homes and 1 million living in 46,000 assisted living facilities in the United States. About 160,000 people younger than 65 years of age live in the Nation's nursing homes. These numbers show the elderly and disabled constitute growing significant segments of our population and that we should recognize their specific needs and challenges and how to best serve their interests. I encourage my colleagues, therefore, to support the goals and ideals of National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week, and I welcome the participation of long-term care advocates as we strive to help those in such facilities lead productive and rewarding lives.

My commitment to our seniors in long-term care facilities and who are cared for by their families is why I introduced "The Elder Justice Act" (H.R. 2490). This bill will elevate problems associated with abuse against seniors to national attention by consolidating existing government functions dealing with the problem in several different federal agencies under a new Elder Justice Office within the Department of Health and Human Services. My legislation will also help States and local agencies combat neglect and exploitation-whether it is physical, psychological or financial-such as assisting victims and at-risk seniors through "safe havens" and supporting local and state prosecution of abuse perpetrated against the elderly.

Mr. Speaker, we should fulfill our commitment to seniors and disabled Americans. And we must ensure that resolutions like these move forward to demonstrate our obligations to those who need our help. I thank the gentleman from California, Mr. WAXMAN, for introducing this important resolution, and I urge my colleagues to support passage of H. Res. 772.

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Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.