Feds Probe California Nursing Homes for Abuse

The U.S. Department of Justice is looking into complaints of lax care at Northern California nursing homes, and threatening civil or criminal charges against serious violators.

The federal investigators will look at inappropriate use of psychiatric medications and poor care that results in injury or illness, according to a statement about the probe. Investigators are also looking at nursing homes that discharge sick patients or refuse admission to patients returning from a hospital.

The investigation was, at least in part, spurred by a provision of the federal health reform law signed by President Barack Obama in March. That law includes the Elder Justice Act, which calls for coordination between the U.S. attorney general’s office and other government agencies to prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

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Feds Probe Nursing Home Abuse