BILL ANALYSIS
AB 215
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 215 (Feuer and Smyth)
As Amended September 2, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |65-11|(May 18, 2009) |SENATE: |30-9 |(September 4, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: HEALTH
SUMMARY : Requires a skilled nursing facility to post, in
accordance with specified requirements, the overall facility star
rating determined by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS).
The Senate amendments :
1)Reduce the required minimum font size, from 30 point to 28, of
the facility's name and specified text below the star rating in
the posted information.
2)Reduce the required minimum font size, from three inches to two,
of the star rating, expressed as the number that reflects the
number of stars given to the facility by CMS, and delete the
requirement to also post this number as star symbols in at least
one-half inch print.
3)Reduce the required minimum font size, from 20 point to 14, of
text describing where to find a detailed explanation of the CMS
star rating system, and specify that the detailed explanation
include, at a minimum, a printout of the information explaining
the CMS star rating system.
4)Require the facility to maintain and make available upon
request, the printout in 4) above, instead of a copy of the most
recent CMS report on the facility.
5)Require the posted information to include text, in at least 14
point font, describing where to find online state licensing
information on skilled nursing facilities.
6)Make other technical, non-substantive changes.
AB 215
Page 2
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was substantially similar to
the version passed by the Senate.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations Committee,
pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, this bill is intended to
provide consumers additional information regarding a nursing
home's quality to assist the consumer in choosing a nursing home.
The author maintains that the federal CMS Five-Star Quality Rating
System distills detailed information about health inspection
reports, staffing, and quality measures of Medicare and
Medicaid-certified nursing homes into an easily understood format.
The author argues that since many consumers do not have access to
the Internet or cannot find CMS information electronically, the
posted ratings make this information much more accessible. The
author further argues that
many consumers who are unaware of the CMS rating system will learn
of its existence through the postings and be able to make more
informed decisions.
Analysis Prepared by : Joyce Iseri / HEALTH / (916) 319-2097
FN: 0003046