AHCA, however, did not begin a tough crackdown on nursing homes until a publicized tragedy earlier this year at Miami's Jackson Manor Nursing Home. In Florida, unless AHCA takes quick action, systemic nursing home problems are unlikely to get addressed. It is the only agency that has the authority to cite violations, order corrections and mete out discipline. At present, there is no oversight or assessment of AHCA's handling of complaints. By contrast, program auditors in the Department of Children and Families' quality assurance office routinely assess the way complaints are investigated.
Every state agency is understaffed.
That doesn't excuse something like this. There's no way I would say it's not a concern. My mother was a nursing home resident. In contrast to the complaint process in Florida, federally financed nursing home ombudsmen are mandated to go out on a complaint within five working days. State elder abuse authorities have a maximum of 48 hours to respond.