• An operator of several unlicensed assisted living homes in Texas, Regla “Su” Becquer, is now facing a murder charge after the January death of resident Kelly Pankratz was ruled a homicide due to mixed drug toxicity. Becquer, already charged with abandoning a resident and withholding care, is linked to multiple unlicensed homes under investigation for abuse, neglect, and over 20 deaths.
  • What will it take to persuade state and federal policymakers to implement stronger rules and oversight for assisted living?
• A new study revealed that increasing the hours registered nurses (RN) spend with assisted living residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is linked to a decrease in injury-related emergency department (ED) visits. RNs play a crucial role by providing vigilant surveillance and care oversight, which helps reduce injury risks. RNs’ ability to assess residents immediately after a fall or injury can often prevent unnecessary ED visits.

• The Justice Department’s 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action recovered over $2.75 billion in false claims and charged 193 defendants in criminal cases, many involving nursing homes, home health or hospice agencies, and assisted living providers.
  • Notable cases include owners and operators of various healthcare facilities submitting fraudulent Medicare claims, paying illegal kickbacks, and billing for services not rendered or unnecessary.
  • Additionally, several individuals were charged with stealing narcotics and credit cards from residents under their care.

• While nursing home lobbyists claim that they don’t get enough money to provide even minimum safe staffing levels, the industry continues to be attractive to sophisticated, profit-driven investors.
  • In July, Zach’s Equity Research advised investors to buy shares in The Ensign Group, one of the largest US nursing home chains.
  • In May, McKnight’s reported that “Ensign Group has ‘remarkable momentum’ after a record first quarter.
• While Ensign’s stock price increased by over 800% in the last 10 years, federal data indicate that Ensign’s nursing homes perform below average overall on both health inspection and staffing ratings.

The Ensign Group’s stock price has increased from $14.23 to $125.02 over the last 10 years. Ensign’s revenue for the quarter ending March 31, 2024 was $1.010B, a 13.9% increase year-over-year.

Stockholders have flourished. How have residents & families fared?

Data source: www.macrotrends.net/.