NASW-NC was pleased to sign onto the letter referenced below in an email from Mary Bethel. The purpose of the letter was to support a star rating system for adult care homes, similar to the one already in place for child care facilities. If you would like to get involved in this issue, please contact Mary at the information listed below.
Thank each of you and your organization for signing on to the letter to the Medical Care Commission relative to the Star Rating System. FYI, attached is a copy of the letter which was presented at the public hearing this morning. Those of you who were able to attend the hearing know that Bill Wilson, my co-worker, made remarks at the hearing which mirrored the letter. He noted each group that was a co-signer and asked those present with any of the groups to make their presence known.
There were so many late signers to the letter that obtaining signatures or signature authorization from everyone was not possible. Therefore, a list of each group and their representative was indicated at the end of the letter with no signatures.
We received word after the public hearing that the NC Association of Area Agencies on Aging has also signed on to the letter. Gayla Woody, the chair of the Association, has e-mailed Nadine Pfeiffer to let her know their support for this.
The public hearing was short and sweet. There were only seven speaker, including Bill. All the speakers, with the exception of a representative of the assisted living industry, spoke in some form or fashion about the need to strengthen the rules so that consumers have access to reliable and transparent information. I can tell you from talking after the hearing with the Medical Care Commission Chair and others present at the hearing that the fact 11 (now12) organizations signed on to the letter was very impressive and made a strong statement.
The Raleigh News and Observer ran a story yesterday by their Generations reporter, Tommy Goldsmith, titled “Adult-Care Rating Plan in Dispute”. This article can be viewed at http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/892840.html. Mr. Goldsmith was at the public hearing today so there could be a follow-up article.
Again, thank you for your sign-on to the letter. If you need a hard copy of the letter or have questions about the hearing, etc. related to the star rating system proposal, please feel free to contact me.
Mary Bethel
Associate State Director for Advocacy
AARP North Carolina
225 Hillsborough St., Suite 440
Raleigh, N.C. 27603
Telephone: (919) 508-0297
Fax: (919) 755-9684
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