Oklahoma’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program recently moved under the wing of the state attorney general’s office to enhance the state’s ability to investigate complaints involving assisted living communities and nursing homes.
Plans under SB 1709, signed into law in May, called for the ombudsman program to be moved to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, along with the Office of Client Advocacy. That move, however, would have created a conflict of interest and would not have allowed the ombudsman program to remain neutral, as designed, the Oklahoma Senior Living Association told McKnight’s Senior Living.
OSLA President and Executive Director Melissa Holland said the change also would have violated the updated regulations of the Older Americans Act, which prohibits state government agency interference with the functions of the ombudsman’s office.
“We supported language to change the move to the Oklahoma Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to the state attorney general’s office,” Holland said. “Our lobbyist, Patrick Gaines, helped educate the legislators why that language change from the OSDH to the state attorney general’s office was imperative.”
The ombudsman program resolves complaints made by or for long-term care residents; educates consumers and long-term care providers on residents’ rights and best practices; and provides information on residents’ rights, legislative and policy issues, and long-term care services.
“This move aligns with our mission to safeguard Oklahomans and allows us to bring additional resources and oversight to the critical work of protecting our older citizens,” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement.
The program is supported by local volunteers.
Source: McKnights Seniorliving
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