In Lawrence, Dee Miller faces a tough choice about her husband’s care due to high costs at assisted living facilities, which demand up to $11,000 monthly until Medicaid steps in. Speaking at a Kansas Advocates for Better Care forum, Miller highlighted how care homes prioritize profits over patient welfare. Expert insights, like those from Janis DeBoer and Camille Russell, illustrate how Kansas nursing homes suffer from low staff levels and poor ratings. Alarmingly, around 13,000 early deaths yearly may stem from care deficiencies. New federal staffing rules face legal challenges, with critics like Russell questioning these facilities’ priorities. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach argues against these regulations, fearing a financial impact on care homes. Changes in Kansas leadership, such as replacing Camille Russell with Haely Ordoyne, raise concerns about conflict of interest. Key issues include increasing staffing, reducing harmful medication use, and improving service coordination.
What solutions do you think can improve the long-term care system?
Read more at Kansas Reflector.
