La. House Kills Nursing Home Bill

The Louisiana House of Representatives killed a bill that would have allowed nursing home patients to sue for damages for certain violations of their rights, such as being a victim of mental and physical abuse.

The measure by Rep. Clara Baudoin, D-Carencro, faced strong opposition from the Louisiana nursing home industry, plus the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the Louisiana Hospital Association. They said the passage of the bill would cause escalating insurance costs because of lawsuits, thus taking money away from residents’ care.

The bill failed in a vote of 28-62.

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