State Facilities Face Reform Deadlines; East Texan’s Death a Factor

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) – Two state facilities face June deadlines to reform hazardous conditions or lose millions of dollars in Medicaid money — and the death of an East Texas woman is part of the reason. The Austin American-Statesman reports that Terrell State Hospital faces a June 4 deadline to implement reforms or face the loss of Medicare funding. That’s after Medicare investigators found significant nursing and patient rights problems in the wake of the February 2012 death of patient Ann Simmons. An autopsy blamed the death of the 62-year-old Pittsburg woman three days after her arrival on a pulmonary embolism related to restraints used on her.

The Statesman also reports the Austin State Supported Living Center faces a June 17 deadline to make significant improvements or face the loss of Medicaid funding. That’s after incidents that left one resident dead and two injured severely.