Nursing Home Abuse News

Attorney General Mike Beebe Reaches $1.5 Million Settlement In Nursing Home Cases

LITTLE ROCK – Attorney General Mike Beebe announced today that he has reached a $1.5 million settlement with Beverly Enterprises, Inc., a national nursing-home chain with 466 facilities nationwide, 34 in Arkansas. After receiving complaints of patient neglect in facilities owned and operated by Beverly, the Attorney General investigated and found evidence of neglect, injuries and failure to provide nursing care and treatment for vulnerable nursing home residents.

The $1.5 million settlement is the largest of its kind in the State. “This case is about corporate accountability and protecting Arkansans who deserve and depend on compassionate and high-quality care in nursing homes,” Beebe stated. “My office has worked hard to uncover the facts in this case and to reach this agreement. Beverly has given assurances that they take seriously the kinds of problems that have been identified and will cooperate in the future to address patient-care issues. However, we will continue to be vigilant to ensure that all providers comply with the law.”

Beebe noted that Arkansas has nearly 380,000 people eligible for Medicaid and over 18,000 registered Medicaid providers. He asked for the public’s help in reporting all suspected cases of fraud, neglect and abuse involving the Medicaid program. Because each dollar of State funds Arkansas spends on Medicaid services is matched by three dollars of federal funds, the settlement will result in a total of approximately $6 million in additional funding for Arkansas Medicaid programs.

The Medicaid Department of the Attorney General’s Office has two important charges -- to investigate and bring to justice those who abuse or neglect the elderly and disabled in nursing homes and to investigate and prosecute providers who commit Medicaid fraud. The Attorney General’s office and Beverly, Inc., agreed to the settlement in order to avoid an expensive, lengthy court case.

Beverly is the largest provider of nursing home care in the nation. Of the settlement funds, $1.3 million will be returned to the Arkansas Medicaid Program Trust Fund to provide Medicaid services to eligible Arkansans, and $200,000 will go to the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to fund research on improving care for nursing home residents

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	Did You Know?
	Anyone can report nursing home abuse and neglect. Anyone can and should report abuse and neglect. It is a violation of state and federal law for any person, including facility staff, volunteers, visitors, family members or guardians, or another resident, to abuse or neglect a resident. If you suspect abuse or neglect, or if a resident tells you they are experiencing this problem, it is important to believe the resident and report the allegation immediately. This will help prevent further suffering by any resident. Many states have laws that require the reporting of abuse and neglect. Find out what your state requires. Put your report in writing, date it, and keep a copy. Convey as much information as you can about the situation. Provide as much background information as possible. A thorough report will help the investigator to address the situation quickly.