Press Releases

Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA) released a report titled “Limitations of Using CMS Data to Identify Private Equity and Other Ownership” from the non-partisan U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) that shows transparency gaps in the data collected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to identify private equity and other owners in nursing homes:  

“Today’s report shows significant limitations in CMS’ ability to identify what’s happening behind the scenes in America’s nursing homes and a clear need for stronger transparency safeguards to protect patients. It’s impossible to discuss health care transparency without mentioning private equity ownerships – their unchecked expansion across the industry has been tied to poor patient outcomes in nursing homes, including higher patient mortality rates, fewer caregivers, and declines in patient mobility. While CMS has taken steps to improve transparency, today’s report shows that many patients have no indication of how private equity ownership impacts their care and that regulators lack clear, accurate information to conduct proper oversight.

“Ways and Means Democrats are committed to protecting patients and ensuring they have as much information as possible to make informed decisions about their health care. Shining a much-needed light on the industry means more data must be collected, and any transparency legislation cannot overlook private equity’s influence in the health care industry. Today’s report drives home how House Republicans’ egregious insistence on shielding private equity companies from reporting on health care ownership in their transparency legislation carries consequences for millions of Americans. Delivering the quality, affordable care that patients deserve can only happen with a fulsome look behind the curtain, and we won’t stop until its delivered.”

The full GAO report is available HERE.

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