[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 22, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H7359-H7360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL LONG-TERM CARE RESIDENTS'
RIGHTS WEEK
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.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Res. 772
Whereas there are nearly 1.7 million individuals living in
17,000 nursing homes and 1 million individuals living in
46,000 board and care and assisted living facilities in the
United States;
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities, including
senior citizens and individuals living with disabilities, are
one of the Nation's most valued resources;
Whereas residents of long-term care facilities include the
``Greatest Generation'' of Americans who protected our
freedoms in World War II and helped rebuild the world in the
postwar years;
Whereas almost 160,000 people younger than 65 years of age
live in the Nation's nursing homes;
Whereas the Nation should honor and celebrate long-term
care residents, recognize their rich individuality, and
reaffirm their rights as community members and citizens,
including the right to vote;
Whereas the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987
guaranteed important rights, such as the right to privacy,
the right to be treated with dignity, the right to exercise
self-determination, the right to participate in the review of
one's care plan, the right to be fully informed in advance of
any changes in treatment, and the right to voice grievances
without discrimination or reprisal;
Whereas long-term care ombudsmen, citizen advocates,
facility staff, and family and resident councils work to
educate and empower residents in the exercise of their
rights;
Whereas the week beginning October 3, 2004, should be
celebrated as National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week;
Whereas in recognition of National Long-Term Care
Residents' Rights Week, individuals and groups around the
country will be affirming the importance of quality of care
and quality of life for long-term care residents; and
Whereas National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week
originated in 1980, with resolutions introduced by
Representative Claude Pepper and Senator David Pryor to
designate a Nursing Home Residents Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Long-Term
Care Residents' Rights Week; and
(2) encourages the President to issue a proclamation
calling upon the people of the United States to observe that
week with appropriate ceremonies and activities to
demonstrate the importance of long-term care residents to our
everyday lives.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
California (Mr. Ose) and the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Davis) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose).
General Leave
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from California?
There was no objection.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution supports the goals and ideals of
National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week. Many Americans may not
be aware that dozens of national, State and local organizations observe
National Long-Term Care Residents' Rights Week during the first week of
October. As we approach that time, I am pleased that the House is
considering this resolution.
As the U.S. population grows older, long-term care facilities become
increasingly important resources for more American families. These
homes provide invaluable services by helping people with the day-to-day
care of their elderly loved ones.
Nearly 2 million Americans today live in assisted living homes. These
people are our parents, our grandparents, our great grandparents, our
mentors, neighbors and friends. They have lived full lives, but they
have much more living to do. We should always value and respect their
dignity as that transpires.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Waxman) for his efforts on
House Resolution 772, and I urge its adoption.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
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.
{time} 1415
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.
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
[[Page H7360]]
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.
Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues support the passage of
this important legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Linder). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from California (Mr. Ose) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 772.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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