I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1125 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 23, 2009 Ms. Kaptur introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to improve the quality of care in skilled nursing facilities under the Medicare Program through requiring the reporting of expenditures for nursing.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Act of 2009.

2.

Improvement in quality of long-term care in skilled nursing facilities under Medicare

Section 1888 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395yy) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (f)

Detailed reporting of nursing expenditures

(1)

In general

For cost reports submitted for cost reporting periods beginning on or after four months after the date of the enactment of this subsection, skilled nursing facilities shall separately report expenditures for wages and benefits for nursing staff (by staff level, breaking out (at a minimum) registered nurses, licensed professional nurses, and certified nurse assistants). (2)

Modification of form

The Secretary, in consultation with private sector accountants experienced with Medicare and Medicaid nursing facility home cost reports, shall redesign such reports to meet the requirement of paragraph (1). .