Hirono, Blumenthal Introduce Legislation to Uphold the Rights of Americans in Nursing Homes

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced legislation to protect the rights of Americans in nursing homes. The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act prohibits long-term care facilities from requiring or soliciting residents to enter into pre-dispute, mandatory, binding arbitration agreements.

“Nursing home residents deserve access to the high-quality care they need without being forced into mandatory arbitration agreements and, oftentimes, unwittingly signing away their rights,” said Senator Hirono. “By prohibiting nursing facilities from enforcing forced arbitration agreements in disputes with residents, the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act will help to protect older Americans and provide peace of mind for nursing home residents and their loved ones.”

This bill is a companion to legislation reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this year, led by Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) and cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Judy Chu (D-CA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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