The State - News from Feb. 12, 1985

A bipartisan compromise designed to improve care in California’s 1,200 nursing homes passed its first test in the Assembly, four months after similar legislation was vetoed by Gov. George Deukmejian. By a 10-0 vote, the Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee approved two identical bills that incorporate those nursing home proposals from last year that meet with the Administration’s approval. Among its provisions, the legislation would toughen penalties for the abuse of patients and increase state Medi-Cal payments to nursing homes, so that facilities can raise staffing levels. Deukmejian vetoed last year’s nursing home package because he objected to several provisions, including the establishment of two new advisory committees.