Wood Presentation

Conference Call Presentation by Erica Wood

“Termination and Closure of Poor Quality Nursing Homes: What Are the Options?” by Erica F. Wood of the American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly

A new issue paper by the AARP Public Policy Institute examines involuntary termination of nursing homes from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and what happens to residents if terminated homes close.  The paper profiles seven facilities throughout the country that were involuntarily terminated and then closed between 1997 and 2000; it explores what led to termination, how termination might have been avoided, and the consequences for the residents. It makes recommendations concerning the use of temporary management, receivership and other sanctions, as well as steps to mitigate the harm in transferring residents. The report (#2002-05) is available at no cost from the AARP Public Policy Institute by contacting Vannessa Woodward, 202-434-3860.  A fact sheet on the report is posted on the AARP PPI website.

Presenter Bio
Erica Wood is an Associate Staff Director of the American Bar Association Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly, and has been working with the Commission since 1980 on issues of guardianship, disability, long term care, health care, dispute resolution, and legal services delivery. She is a member of the Virginia Commonwealth Council on Aging. She is a member of the Virginia State Bar and the Virginia Bar Association; a member of the Board of the Consumer Consortium on Assisted Living, and the Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation.  She received her B.A. from the University of Michigan and her J.D. from the George Washington University.