Pataki Administration Unveils Initiatives To Improve Oversight of Homes for Mentally Ill

The administration of New York Gov. George Pataki (R) on May 7 issued several measures to reform the system of care and oversight for the 15,000 mentally ill individuals who reside in the state's "deeply troubled" adult homes, the New York Times reports. The new measures would require adult homes for the first time to adhere to some of the standards set for hospitals and psychiatric institutions in the state, with some oversight from the state Public Health Council, which approves new hospitals and nursing homes. In addition, adult homes would have to hire nurses, rather than minimum wage employees, to dispense medication to residents. The administration also announced plans to expand teams of investigators to conduct "unannounced examinations" of adult homes that will target resident deaths and Medicaid violations. The measures represent the third set issued by the administration in the past two weeks after a Times investigation into 26 of the city's "largest and most troubled" adult homes found "widespread neglect" and "little state action." The administration said that the measures -- some of which require approval from the state Legislature -- serve as "only a first step toward addressing the problems of the homes." New York Health Commissioner Dr. Antonia Novello said, "These strong steps will help us build on, streamline and strengthen the oversight responsibility" of the state.

No Additional Funds
The measures do not provide additional funds for adult homes, the Times reports. The Empire State Association of Adult Homes and Assisted Living Facilities, the state's trade group for adult homes, "questioned how the state could issue new requirements" for adult homes, which receive $28 per day per resident, without increased reimbursements. "For any reform to be successful, adequate funding must be provided," Lisa Newcomb, executive director of the group, said (Levy, New York Times, 5/8).