Uneven Oversight of Maryland Nursing Homes Lets Patients Fall Through Cracks – CNS Maryland

discharging trouble

In Maryland, uneven oversight of nursing homes allows some patients to slip through the cracks. A CNS Investigation.

Vonda Wagner, 59, said she was assaulted by the owner of an unlicensed assisted living facility after being involuntarily discharged from a nursing home. She was unable to pay the home’s fees after her temporary Medicare benefits expired. (Capital News Service photo)

Copyright: KPG_Payless/Shutterstock

Copyright: Mary Rice/Shutterstock.com

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Vonda Wagner, 59, writes the details of her alleged assault and experience in an unlicensed assisted living facility. Wagner underwent surgery for throat cancer and cannot speak. (Capital News Service photo)

Vonda Wagner, 59, said she was assaulted by the owner of an unlicensed assisted living facility after being involuntarily discharged from a nursing home. She was unable to pay the home’s fees after her temporary Medicare benefits expired. (Capital News Service photo)

Copyright: KPG_Payless/Shutterstock

Copyright: Mary Rice/Shutterstock.com

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Copyright: Mary Rice/Shutterstock.com

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Copyright: KPG_Payless/Shutterstock

Copyright: Mary Rice/Shutterstock.com

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)

Vonda Wagner, 59, writes the details of her alleged assault and experience in an unlicensed assisted living facility. Wagner underwent surgery for throat cancer and cannot speak. (Capital News Service photo)

Vonda Wagner, 59, said she was assaulted by the owner of an unlicensed assisted living facility after being involuntarily discharged from a nursing home. She was unable to pay the home’s fees after her temporary Medicare benefits expired. (Capital News Service photo)

Copyright: KPG_Payless/Shutterstock

Copyright: Mary Rice/Shutterstock.com

Anne Hurley, a former Maryland Legal Aid attorney, says regulations on safe and secure patient discharges from nursing homes are vague and difficult to enforce. Vonda Wagner’s case, Hurley said, is an example of a long-standing problem in nursing home oversight. (Capital News Service photo by Amanda Eisenberg)