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SD public defense duties shift from counties to state; SCOTUS appears skeptical of restricting government communications with social media companies; Trump lawyers say he can't make bond; new scholarships aim to connect class of 2024 to high-demand jobs.

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The SCOTUS weighs government influence on social media, and who groups like the NRA can do business with. Biden signs an executive order to advance women's health research and the White House tells Israel it's responsible for the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Midwest regenerative farmers are rethinking chicken production, Medicare Advantage is squeezing the finances of rural hospitals and California's extreme swing from floods to drought has some thinking it's time to turn rural farm parcels into floodplains.

AARP Urges Congress to Address COVID-19 Crisis in Nursing Homes

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Monday, July 6, 2020   

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- AARP is urging Congress to take action to slow the spread of the coronavirus and help protect the lives of nursing home residents by boosting access to personal protective equipment, testing and nursing staff.

According to data from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, more than 500 nursing home residents so far have tested positive and more than 370 have died.

Scott Wegenast, associate state director for communications and outreach with AARP Kentucky, says some nursing home residents haven't seen their families in nearly 100 days.

"There is some virtual visitation going on in Kentucky, but across the country, AARP is asking for Congress and the administration to provide more funding to make certain there is access to virtual visitation, hardware, applications, etc.," he states.

Nationwide more than 50,000 people living in nursing homes and long-term care facilities have died since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wegenast says facilities should be required to report publicly on a daily basis whether they have
confirmed new coronavirus cases.

He adds oversight is needed to ensure that the billions of dollars in taxpayer funding for nursing homes is being used for personal protective equipment, testing and other measures directly relating to COVID-19 resident care, prevention and treatment.

"AARP is strongly urging Congress to protect the safety of residents, including the rights of the residents when they are begin transferred or discharged, and to their families who may seek legal redress," he states.

Staffing shortages are also a concern as nursing homes try to keep COVID-19 infections under control.

One study of 215 facilities found those with more registered nurses had lower rates of COVID-19 deaths.

Disclosure: AARP Kentucky contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Health Issues, Senior Issues, Urban Planning/Transportation. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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