[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 44 (Thursday, March 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         INTRODUCING THE NURSING HOME EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 12, 2009

  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 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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