For a long time, nursing home ownership has been identified as a problem in the industry. Depending on who owns and runs long-term care facilities can heavily influence how they operate, the quality of care, the number of policy or rights violations, and so much more. Often, profits trump people, and residents feel this on a detrimental, sometimes fatal, level. But the problem persists. This is made clear by a case recently investigated by CalMatters in which a Los Angeles nursing home owner was licensed despite thousands of violations.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Issues
This case starts in 2021 when it was discovered that Shlomo Rechnitz and his companies were running 18 nursing homes, primarily in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, despite having licensing issues and thousands of violations.
Rechnitz’s facilities were allowed to run and stay open despite delays from the state Department of Public Health to officially license the facilities. In 2023, as Governor Gavin Newsom prepared to sign a law that would address this operation without licensure issue, regulators quickly pushed Rechnitz’s licenses through. But the problems were just beginning.
Not only had Rechnitz been able to run unlicensed facilities for seven years, there are still facilities under his ownership that are in operation without the proper licenses.
Licensing Does Not Solve the Problem
THough we obviously want licensed facilities to be the only facilities allowed to operate, this case showcases how broken that system is as a whole. Licensing does not equal quality care. In Rechnitz’s case, they have faced lawsuit after lawsuit since licensing. Some are egregious, costing millions, not to mention the safety, trust, and quality of life of dozens of residents.
All of these lawsuits are the result of negligence which led to hundreds, if not thousands, of violations at various long-term care facilities run by Rechnitz and his companies.
“In February 2024, a Los Angeles County jury awarded $2.34 million to an 84-year-old nursing home resident named Betsy Jentz, finding that Country Villa Wilshire had violated her rights on 132 occasions, at times leading to serious injuries.” Jocelyn Wiener, CalMatters
This case is not the only one.
“…Trial is scheduled to begin next spring in the case of a 79-year-old dementia patient, referred to as Cheryl Doe, who was allegedly raped twice at Windsor Healthcare Center of Oakland; a second case against the same facility alleges that excessive sedation of 64-year-old Alando Williams led to his death.” Jocelyn Wiener, CalMatters
In another case, Alameda Healthcare & Wellness had been found guilty of violating a resident’s rights more than 1,400 times.
Ultimately, it is clear that licensing does not solve the problem, and self-reporting by facilities, while necessary, is not an incentive for providing good care to residents.
Investigating Nursing Home Owners
Currently, there is no solution to this problem. Besides consistently investigating all reports and owners, and doing everything we can to hold owners accountable, there is still a major gap in advocacy and policy when it comes to who controls long-term care facilities.
Learn more about problems currently facing nursing homes.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, call Gharibian Law (866-747-1389) for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Owner Licensed Despite Violations
For a long time, nursing home ownership has been identified as a problem in the industry. Depending on who owns and runs long-term care facilities can heavily influence how they operate, the quality of care, the number of policy or rights violations, and so much more. Often, profits trump people, and residents feel this on a detrimental, sometimes fatal, level. But the problem persists. This is made clear by a case recently investigated by CalMatters in which a Los Angeles nursing home owner was licensed despite thousands of violations.
Los Angeles Nursing Home Issues
This case starts in 2021 when it was discovered that Shlomo Rechnitz and his companies were running 18 nursing homes, primarily in Los Angeles and surrounding counties, despite having licensing issues and thousands of violations.
Rechnitz’s facilities were allowed to run and stay open despite delays from the state Department of Public Health to officially license the facilities. In 2023, as Governor Gavin Newsom prepared to sign a law that would address this operation without licensure issue, regulators quickly pushed Rechnitz’s licenses through. But the problems were just beginning.
Not only had Rechnitz been able to run unlicensed facilities for seven years, there are still facilities under his ownership that are in operation without the proper licenses.
Licensing Does Not Solve the Problem
THough we obviously want licensed facilities to be the only facilities allowed to operate, this case showcases how broken that system is as a whole. Licensing does not equal quality care. In Rechnitz’s case, they have faced lawsuit after lawsuit since licensing. Some are egregious, costing millions, not to mention the safety, trust, and quality of life of dozens of residents.
All of these lawsuits are the result of negligence which led to hundreds, if not thousands, of violations at various long-term care facilities run by Rechnitz and his companies.
This case is not the only one.
In another case, Alameda Healthcare & Wellness had been found guilty of violating a resident’s rights more than 1,400 times.
Ultimately, it is clear that licensing does not solve the problem, and self-reporting by facilities, while necessary, is not an incentive for providing good care to residents.
Investigating Nursing Home Owners
Currently, there is no solution to this problem. Besides consistently investigating all reports and owners, and doing everything we can to hold owners accountable, there is still a major gap in advocacy and policy when it comes to who controls long-term care facilities.
Learn more about problems currently facing nursing homes.
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If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home neglect or abuse, call Gharibian Law (866-747-1389) for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.