But the Times reports that those generator rules have not been fully implemented by many facilities across the state, particularly hundreds in the region where Michael’s impact is likely to be felt hardest.
A review of data maintained by the Agency for Health Care Administration shows that, in 33 counties encompassing the western half of the state south to Hernando County and east to Putnam County, more than half of the 412 assisted-living facilities and nursing homes have yet to implement their emergency power plans. Nearly all of those facilities have been granted extensions, many through the end of the year, citing regulatory delays and equipment and contractor shortages.
This is just the sort of issue the CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule was designed to address, but now we hear the Trump Administration is pushing CMS to ease off on many of those rules. Let’s sincerely hope there are no fatalities in Florida this week that could have been avoided if the facilities had followed the laws.