CMS Arbitration Proposal Is “Dereliction of Duty”

Washington, D.C., June 6, 2017 – In response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid’s proposal to abandon a planned reform that was intended to bar forced arbitration agreements in contracts at nursing homes that accept federal funds, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:

“CMS’s proposal to allow forced arbitration agreements in nursing home contracts represents a complete dereliction of duty when it comes to the vulnerable populations that CMS serves. It was just months ago that CMS acted to bar these agreements. This about-face is arbitrary and inexcusable and will put ill residents and their families at risk of signing away their right to go to court if they are injured at a nursing home or long-term care facility. AFJ is deeply disturbed by this proposal, and we urge CMS to put the interests of patients and their families first and reconsider this harmful and ill-advised policy change.”