Attorney General Letitia James has recently made a significant move against negligence and financial impropriety within New York’s nursing home industry, securing a hefty $45 million settlement with the operators of four nursing homes. As reported by the
New York Attorney General’s Office
, Centers for Care, LLC and its related entities will face substantial fallout for wrongful acts ranging from financial fraud to the inadequate staffing that led to resident mistreatment at multiple facilities in the state.
The comprehensive investigation by the Attorney General’s Office unearthed not only the exploitation of vulnerable seniors but also exposed a scheme to significantly to profit from taxpayer dollars at the expense of adequate care. Operations at the Beth Abraham Center in Bronx County, Buffalo Center in Erie County, Holliswood Center in Queens County, and Martine Center in Westchester County all came under scrutiny. The settlement enforced by Attorney General James includes direct improvements in resident care and staffing, ensuring that Centers for Care and its owners are held accountable for the harm prompted by their conduct.
“Residents at these Centers nursing homes endured years of tragic and devastating mistreatment and neglect, while the owners made millions of dollars in profit,” Attorney General James said, according to the
New York Attorney General’s Office
. Her statement further detailed that the insufficient staffing was a strategic choice made by the owners to inflate their profits, leaving residents to cope with neglect and their families in despair.
The imposition of financial penalties and mandated reforms comes in tandem with ongoing oversight from both an Independent Health Care Monitor and an Independent Financial Monitor. These monitors have already begun improving conditions at the facilities since their appointment in 2023. The settlement stipulates a $45 million payment commitment from Centers, including $8.75 million in restitution to Medicaid and Medicare, and a considerable $35 million allocation to a Resident Care Fund. This fund is designed to support the IHM’s recommendations, which may also involve an additional $1 million infusion to ensure the facilities fulfill these calls for crucial changes in care delivery.
The use of Compliance Officers at each nursing home is among several other reforms stipulated in the settlement. According to Attorney General James, these measures aim to ensure that the facilities not only improve conditions for current residents but also prevent future instances of mistreatment and neglect.
Funding for New York’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which played a vital role in uncovering the neglect, is heavily supported by a federal grant, with the state contributing a quarter of the funds. The unit’s recovery actions routinely replenish more to the state funds than it consumes, showcasing the fiscal benefits of vigilance and law enforcement in this sector.
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