September 29th, 2008

Reports the York Daily Record:

A state legislative committee heard allegations of decreased care and staff cuts at the largest chain of nursing homes in the state with four locations in York County.

HCR ManorCare Inc. runs 24 homes statewide and is the largest U.S. owner of nursing homes. Almost a year ago, the private company that runs the chain purchased dozens of Pennsylvania nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities.

Company representatives and critics testified Wednesday before the House Aging and Older Adult Service Committee. The hearing was a progress report for lawmakers on the homes’ care levels, staffing and other issues.

A group that represents service employees, the Service Employees International Union, testified that ManorCare has greatly reduced staff levels, and that deficiencies have been found during state health dept. inspections since they took over ownership of the nursing homes.

State health officials, however, testified that deficiency levels showed no signficant increase.