Fraser, Jayme, and Nick Penzenstadler. 2022. Lawmaker urges nursing home probe: Rush calls out ‘profiteering, cold-hearted’ owners and asks congress to act. Star Press, Apr 09, 2022. (accessed April 24, 2022).

“If (REITs) own the real estate, then they should not be given the authority … and shouldn’t be getting one red cent of the taxpayers’ money in operating these nursing homes.”

In a biting letter, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill. urged Congress to investigate the failures of nursing homes during the pandemic, particularly “profiteering, cold-hearted” corporations that act as landlords in the industry. “It is up to Congress … to shine a bright light on the current practices, to reign (sic) them in, and to set and strictly enforce high standards for performance,” Rush wrote to the chair of the House Oversight Committee. “It is Congress’s job to stand in-between greedy corporations and those who are the most defenseless.”

The request cited a USA TODAY investigation into nursing home ownership webs invisible to consumers and regulators. The reporting focused on one large operating chain that has an unusual financial partnership with its real estate investors.

[…]

In Indiana, one of four Midwest states where Trilogy operates nursing homes, Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a statement that “the families of those who are affected deserve answers.” His office is reviewing Trilogy and other health systems’ reporting and he has asked the state health department to supplement that review.

[…]

Public records show the group spent $3.7 million lobbying the government in 2021. It ranked third in the hospital and nursing home sector behind the American Hospital Association and Children’s Hospital Association, according to reports compiled by OpenSecrets.

Read the full article here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2022/04/08/nursing-home-owners-congress-investigation-covid-deaths/9497725002