New Jersey Long-Term Care OmbudsmanREAD ALL ABOUT IT! The Beacon, our monthly resident newsletter
NEW! 2026 Election Guide for Long-Term Care Residents
As nursing home residents, you have more rights than you may realize, starting with the room — and even the bed — that you occupy.
Nursing home residents took center stage during a March 16 hearing at the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee. They spoke of understaffing and neglect, dreadful food, shoddy supplies, buildings in disrepair, all weaving into an essential question: Where does the money go?
Bill S2980 seeks to get to the bottom of that by requiring detailed, audited financial data from nursing homes and any related companies involved in their operations. The bill was approved by a 6-1 vote. The next step is a vote by the full Senate.
Ray DiFrancesco, Gail Smith, and James Cook — members of NJ Nursing Home Residents United — testified in person. A statement by resident Tanette Clegg was read into the record by LTCO Director of Community Engagement Eliz Speidel.
The residents were part of a broad coalition of advocates for S2980, including eldercare attorneys and representatives of the Service Employees International Union, AARP New Jersey, the League of Women Voters, and Disability Rights NJ.
New Jersey’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Laurie Facciarossa Brewer, said Bill S2980 will provide needed insight into related parties — companies engaged in the nursing home operations that are owned by the same people who own the nursing home. The arrangement enables related parties to overcharge the nursing home and reap hidden profits for the people who own both companies.
Residents United will continue leading efforts to support Bill S2980.
PNA WATCH
Residents United is also leading efforts to support Bill S1576/A2691, which would increase the personal needs allowance (PNA) from $50 to $140 a month.
To connect with Residents United:
community@ltco.nj.gov
It’s Your Right! Voting in 2026
Voting is a fundamental right, and that does not change if you are living in long-term care. You are likely eligible to vote at your permanent address, whether that is a home in the community or a nursing home.
All 12 U.S. Representative seats for New Jersey and one U.S. Senate seat — the one currently held by Sen. Cory Booker — will be up for grabs this year.
While Election Day may seem a long way off, it will be here before we know it, and some key deadlines are already approaching for the June 2 primary election.
If you are already registered to vote, you are ahead of the game. But if you need to register, you must do so before May 12 to vote in the primary.
To learn more about how to register and vote in the primary, download our election guide on the LTCO website, http://www.nj.gov/ltco.
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