Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
COVID-19
Ina Jaffe, NPR

Trump announces panel to look at nursing home responses to coronavirus outbreak

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
President Trump, surrounded by federal officials on Thursday, signs a proclamation for Older Americans Month during an event on protecting seniors from the coronavirus.
President Trump, surrounded by federal officials on Thursday, signs a proclamation for Older Americans Month during an event on protecting seniors from the coronavirus.
Mandel Ngan | AFP via Getty Images

President Trump Thursday announced the formation of an independent commission to look at the response of nursing homes to the coronavirus. The move comes after nursing home operators have been clamoring for more equipment and testing.

In comments at a White House event, Trump acknowledged that nursing homes were "a spot that we have to take care of. I guess you could call it a little bit of a weak spot, because things are happening at the nursing homes that we're not happy about."

The panel will be known officially as the Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes. It will look at how nursing homes have responded to the pandemic and recommend improvements. Members will include nursing home operators, resident advocates and public officials.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency also announced it will send two shipments of personal protective gear to every nursing home, each shipment containing a one-week supply, by July 4.

The American Health Care Association, which represents most nursing homes, applauded the announcement. In a statement, President and CEO Mark Parkinson said, "We appreciate the commission and the plan of action announced today by the Trump administration as an important step forward to ensure long term care facilities receive the vital support needed during this unprecedented public health crisis."

But the praise from the nursing home industry was not universal. LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit senior services including nursing homes, blasted the administration for leaving testing out of its plan. President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan said in a statement, "Today's announcements fell far short of what's needed to protect the most vulnerable Americans from the coronavirus."

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.