Senators Warren, Hirono Challenge CMS Nursing Home Survey Overhaul
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Mazie Hirono sent CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz a letter raising concerns about the agency's new Risk-Based Survey program for nursing homes, which shortens inspections, reduces surveyor numbers and shrinks resident sample sizes, with infection control the only mandatory task. Citing National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care data, the senators warned the abbreviated process could affect roughly 114,300 residents and noted that eligible facilities included ones with recent abuse designations, overdue standard surveys, and past Medicare/Medicaid payment denials. They also flagged that CMS's eligibility criteria ignore ownership structure and finances despite links between private equity ownership and worse outcomes, and that a "golden trophy" icon on Care Compare could mislead consumers about facility quality. The senators requested answers from CMS by November 9, 2026, on program effectiveness, monitoring, suspension criteria and plans to prevent misleading consumers.