Bill provides info on long-term care facilities

Legislation sponsored by state Assem-blyman Ronald Dancer of Plumsted that would require the state to make available to the public online more information regarding the ownership of a long-term care facility licensed by the state was recently approved by the Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee.

"This legislation will assist individuals in need of long-term care or adult day health services in making more informed decisions when selecting a facility," said Dancer. "A very good indicator of the quality of a nursing home or adult care facility is the ownership of that facility."

The bill, A-2029, would require the Department of Health and Senior Ser-vices to make available to the public, through its Web site, information regarding the ownership of long-term care facility licensed by the department.

The Web site would list the name of the owner of a facility and, if there is more than one owner or the facility is owned by a corporation, the name of each person who holds at least a 10 percent interest in the facility.

"I also would list the names of any other licensed long-term care facility in New Jersey owned by the individual or corporation and the address and contact information of the facility. I believe this legislation will be a tremendous benefit to those who are exploring long-term car options," Dancer said. "... by posting this information on the Internet it will ensure more accountability for those owning the facility."

The Senate version of the bill is sponsored by Senator Robert Singer, and was approved by the full Senate in arch. This bill now heads to the fill Assembly for consideration.