[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1913-E1914]
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

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Mr. PAUL. Madam 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

[[Page E1914]]

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. Madame 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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