Florida's U.S. senators said Thursday they want federal health officials to delve into a Broward County nursing home where eight residents died after Hurricane Irma — and to take steps to make sure such incidents don't happen again.
Rubio, a Republican, tweeted that he is asking the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to review whether The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills “was in violation of any federal regulations.”
Meanwhile, Nelson wrote a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma that said the Broward facility has a “history of higher than average deficiencies, below average ratings, and inadequate emergency preparedness” plans.
“I urge you to hold those responsible for the deaths at The Rehabilitation Center at Hollywood Hills accountable and ensure that sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent a similar tragedy from happening in the future,” Nelson, a Democrat, wrote.
The facility's air-conditioning system went out Sunday, and several residents suffered respiratory or cardiac distress early Wednesday, according to a state moratorium on admissions issued Wednesday evening.
