Letter: Rule would put elderly in nursing homes at risk

To the Editor:

I am beginning to think that the current Republican administration is completely devoid of empathy.

This time, the elderly in nursing homes could be at risk. These people are some of the most vulnerable in our society, and we should respect them. No one wants to end up in a nursing home. Sometimes there is no choice. I am not saying that all nursing homes are terrible. I am saying they should be held accountable when their errors harm residents.

President Donald Trump's proposed rule would allow nursing homes to require new residents to sign away their right to sue if they are neglected. Instead, residents would sign an arbitration agreement or be denied admission.

Arbitration agreements basically give much of the power to the corporations managing the facilities, and the consumer is left without much recourse.

I've been in the position of having a loved one in a nursing home, and know the stress that comes with it. To force patients and/or their families to sign arbitration agreements during a highly stressful time is completely unfair and could be predatory.

This is yet another case of putting corporate interests before consumer protections, and it stinks.

Kathleen Bogolia

McHenry