REP. LEMAN AMONG LEGISLATORS ASKING STATE TO REALLOW NURSING HOME VISITORS

  

State Representative Ben Leman is one of over 50 state legislators calling upon the state to loosen restrictions on visitation at nursing homes and long-term care facilities.

In a letter Thursday to Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Interim Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson, Leman, along with 44 other members of the Texas House and ten state senators, publicly asked for a plan to be put into action to allow for limited family visits to facilities. The legislators, led by State Representative Scott Sanford of McKinney and State Senator Charles Perry of Lubbock, said these facilities can resume visits in a “safe and socially distant environment” with proper guidelines.

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities have not allowed visitors since mid-March in an effort to protect residents from coming into contact with COVID-19.  However, the legislators argue in their letter that the consequences of not allowing visits can cause depression and anxiety in residents, potentially leading to failing physical health.  They said that many residents cannot understand the lockdown status and why loved ones are not coming to visit them, adding that virtual visits can be difficult to comprehend.

The letter also asked that primary family caregivers be recognized as an “essential part of the residents’ care team”, which would allow them the ability to enter a facility like other staff members.

Leman said he is proud to join his colleagues in calling upon the HHSC to make changes to allow for direct visits to families’ loved ones.

Legislators wrote they “will not stand to let these Texans fall through the cracks”, further stating that “this disease is not what’s hurting them; it’s the harmful restrictions we have in place that are”.