Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pat
Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Congressman Lloyd Smucker (Pa.-11th) are
pressing the Pennsylvania Department of Health on its significant shortcomings
in protecting long-term care residents from COVID-19 during the pandemic.
In a letter to Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Secretary
Alison Beam, Senator Toomey and Congressman Smucker wrote:
“The
results have been tragic. More than half of Pennsylvanians whose deaths have
been attributed to COVID-19 were nursing homes residents. In May of 2020,
nearly 70 percent of all fatalities related to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania had
occurred in long-term care facilities, compared to just 37 percent
nationwide. According to the New York Times, four of the top twelve
long-term care facilities with the most COVID-19 deaths nationwide are located
in Pennsylvania.
“One
facility, the Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center (Brighton), had a
well-documented history of infection control deficiencies. The facility had
received a violation for inadequate infection control procedures less than one
year before the pandemic started. In fact, state surveyors from the Department
certified that the facility had corrected its deficiencies just four months
prior to the deadly outbreak at Brighton.”
Additionally,
Senator Toomey and Congressman Smucker’s letter requests further information on
how the department will strengthen protections for seniors in the future.
Joining Senator Toomey and Congressman Smucker in signing the
letter were Pennsylvania Congressmen John Joyce (R-13th), Fred
Keller (R-12th), Mike Kelly (R-16th), Dan Meuser (R-9th),
Scott Perry (R-10th), Guy Reschenthaler (R-14th), and GT
Thompson (R-15th).
You can read the full letter to Acting Secretary Beam here.
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