[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 129 (Thursday, October 6, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       INTRODUCTION OF THE NURSING HOME EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 2005

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Nursing Home Emergency 
Assistance Act. This act makes private, for-profit nursing homes 
eligible for the same federal aid as is currently available to public 
nursing homes. Under current federal law, only public nursing homes may 
receive federal disaster assistance. However, hurricanes, tornadoes, 
and earthquakes do not distinguish between private and public, or for-
profit and not-for-profit, nursing homes.
  As I have recently seen in my district, all nursing homes face unique 
challenges coping with natural disasters and their aftermaths. It is 
not fair to the taxpayers who work in, reside in, or have entrusted the 
care of their loved ones to, a private nursing home that private 
nursing homes are denied the same federal aid available to their public 
counterparts. Mr. Speaker, the Nursing Home Emergency Assistance Act 
ensures all residents of nursing homes can benefit from federal 
disaster aid. I encourage my colleagues to support this legislation.

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