Senate Aging Committee Checks Into Assisted Living

The Chair of the Senate Aging Committee, State Senator Betty Sims is proposing a new definition for assisted living facilities – a definition that would also make it easier for the state to regulate such facilities. But Harvey Tettlebaum, a lawyer representing the Missouri Healthcare Association says under Sims’ definition, places such as hotels that serve breakfast might be considered assisted living facilities. One Senator tries to make the point hotels and motels are for just short periods of time and doesn’t believe they would be included. Tettlebaum counters the current language in the bill does not set timelimits. He believes the idea of defining and regulating assisted living is valid … the current proposal just needs some work.