Lower Bucks Today

State Rep. Melissa Shusterman and State Rep. Kristin Marcell are celebrating the passage of House Bill 1853, which aims to improve communication between the Department of Health and nursing homes in Pennsylvania. The bipartisan bill was passed with a vote of 124-77.

Shusterman expressed her optimism about the bill, stating, “We’re always looking to improve the lives of seniors in Pennsylvania. By encouraging communication between the Department of Health and nursing home staff, we hope that the exchange of ideas and information between these two groups will lead to a unified effort to provide the best senior care possible."

Marcell also shared her satisfaction with the bill's passage, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the Department of Health and nursing homes. She said, "This collaboration is more than a bureaucratic formality; it is the cornerstone of the public health infrastructure we’ve put in place to protect the lives of our most vulnerable citizens."

Zach Shamberg, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, highlighted the significance of collaboration in ensuring quality care for older adults. He stated, “It takes collaboration from all of us to ensure the care of our older loved ones and neighbors is available and meets the standards we all should expect.”

The bill, which requires annual meetings between the Department of Health’s Nursing Care Field Officers and nursing home staff, aims to improve the quality of care and enhance care outcomes for over 60,000 Pennsylvania residents.

House Bill 1853 will now move to the Senate for consideration, furthering the progress in care for the state’s elderly and adults with disabilities.