Vanderbilt Television News Archive

(Studio) Plight of majority of nation's senior citizens summarized.
REPORTER: Peter Jennings

(DC) Fin. discrimination against elderly Medicaid recipients by nursing homes examined. [MD attorney general Stephen SAChigh school - considers practice insidious, obscene.] Senator John HEINZ - believes such practice is a felony.] Eviction of Julia Rocket by nursing home when she went on Medicaid and refusal of many to accept Bessie Bromberg as Medicaid patient cited as exs. of nursing homes' refusal to handle Medicaid recipients. [Nursing home owner Harold MOFFIE - explains financial aspect of situation.] Pvt. payment contract Medicaid patients are forced to sign to gain admittance to nursing homes explained, discussed; Julie Green's experience with nursing home and mother Julia Rocket detailed as ex. [GREEN - describes home's eviction of mother when she applied for Medicaid.] [William SOHINKI - notes father-in-law was denied admittance to nursing home until "donation" was made.] Sohinki's efforts in getting mother-in-law Bessie Bromberg accepted by nursing home described. [HEINZ - considers such "donations" extortion.] Section 1909D of Social Security Act pertaining to situation outlined on screen; findings of Senator investigation noted indicating widespread technique of nursing homes asking for "donations" from Medicaid recipients. [MOFFIE - denies practice is widespread.] Anticipated elderly population in next decade and economy implications for nursing homes noted. [HEINZ - cites possibility of current generation facing same situation.] [SOHINKI - will commit suicide before becoming burden to children.]
REPORTER: Karen Burnes