“In reflecting on this past year, one bright light that shines across our County and State and will enhance the quality of care for our senior citizens was the state law I initiated requiring nursing homes to publicly display their five-star rating issued by the Federal Government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service,” said Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, father of the County’s successful Restaurant Grading system established in 1997.  “With the full support of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Assembly Bill 215, authored by Assemblymen Cameron Smyth (R-38) and Mike Feuer (D-42), was passed and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.”

“This posting system provides vital information for families to make informed decisions about the care for their loved ones and provides incentives for nursing homes operators to establish and maintain high-quality standards of care and compliance,” added Antonovich.

“The rating system, with five stars being the highest and one star for the lowest, includes medical care, staffing levels, food services, sanitation, bedsore mitigation and the results of licensing inspections.”

While the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services performs licensing and complaint inspections through a contract with the State of California, only the State can require facilities to post the results of the new Federal Rating system.   

While the nursing home grade posting system program does not go into effect until  January 1, 2011, the Nursing Home Compare Tool is accessible now at www.antonovich.com.