Engaging the public means ensuring that everyone, especially members of vulnerable groups, can give feedback on their experiences and have a means for obtaining redress. The nursing home complaint resolution process serves this purpose.

*Milestone details:

*Full name: Implement the nursing home resident complaint resolution process required by the ACA.

*Relevance to the ACA:

The ACA describes a required process for long-term care facility complaint resolution. Specifically, §6105, which took effect in March of 2011, requires the Secretary of HHS to develop a standard complaint form for use by nursing home residents, and requires states to make these forms available to nursing home residents and their advocates. It also directs states to develop procedures and policies that ensure complainants do not experience retaliation, determine the severity of each complaint, provide for the investigation of complaints, and contain deadlines for responding to complaints and following-up with complainants.