Regulatory agencies that certify and license nursing homes can impose civil monetary penalties (CMPs) and/or fines against nursing homes that do not comply with standards of care. A new Commonwealth Fund–supported report released by the Long Term Care Community Coalition (LTCCC) finds that CMPs can be a financial resource for states to use to support innovative practices that will improve nursing home quality. Currently, few states are using the funds in this way. The report, Funding for Innovation: A Review of State Practices with Civil Monetary Penalties, reviews the practices of six states that are using CMP funds to support innovative resident-directed change in nursing homes. Available online at the LTCCC Web site, the report includes:
- Case studies that examine a number of state activities and identify "best practices."
- A Resource Brief that describes the findings of a survey of long-term care ombudsmen and advocates on their knowledge and perceptions of the use of fines; public information issues; and their recommendations for changes in policies and practices. The brief also discusses successful methods for informing the public about CMPs and state fines.
- An Action Plan that shows policy makers, providers, and consumers how to use the information given in the report to advocate that these funds, once collected, be used to improve resident well-being in new and creative ways.
R. Mollot, C. Rudder, M. Shineman et al., Funding for Innovation: A Review of State Practices with Civil Monetary Penalties, Long Term Care Community Coalition, March 2006