A push for greater transparency in nursing home operations took center stage during the Oregon Senate Committee on Human Services meeting on March 11, 2025. Advocates, including state long-term care ombudsman Fred Steele, emphasized the urgent need for improved public access to information regarding nursing home ownership, care quality, and funding sources.

Steele highlighted that nursing homes serve over 1.2 million people annually, with taxpayer dollars funding approximately $80 billion in care nationwide. However, he pointed out a significant gap in public knowledge about who operates these facilities and how they utilize the funds they receive. "We need to develop a comprehensive method to determine the safety and effectiveness of nursing homes," he stated, urging the committee to adopt the proposed amendments to Senate Bill 34.

The bill aims to enhance transparency, allowing consumers and families to make informed decisions about care options. Steele noted that the lack of accessible information on ownership structures and care quality leaves families in the dark when seeking suitable facilities for their loved ones. He expressed hope that the pilot approach outlined in the bill would eventually expand to cover all residential care settings in Oregon.

While the discussion was largely supportive of increased transparency, Libby Battlin from the Oregon Healthcare Association voiced opposition to the current draft of the amendments. She acknowledged the importance of understanding who provides care but raised concerns about the complexity of new federal transparency rules and their impact on nursing facilities still recovering from the pandemic's effects.

As the committee deliberates on Senate Bill 34, the outcome could significantly reshape how nursing homes operate and how information is shared with the public, ultimately aiming to enhance the quality of care for residents across Oregon.