NJ public advocate investigates elderly facilities

Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen said Monday he's filed papers asking a Superior Court judge to enforce a subpoena he issued against Assisted Living Concepts, which operates eight assisted living facilities in southern New Jersey.

Chen said he's investigating allegations the company is discharging elderly residents or threatening them with discharge once they've exhausted their money and moved to Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that helps the poor pay for health care.

Chen wants the company to give him names, admission and discharge summaries and contact information for every resident of the company's New Jersey facilities who is or was a Medicaid beneficiary. The subpoena also seeks names and addresses of residents who have been discharged during the previous year.

"Our investigation indicates that this company is placing vulnerable elderly residents at risk by displacing them from their homes in violation of ALC's state license," Chen said. "Our primary concern is to protect the safety, well being and peace of mind of these residents."

Laurie Bebo, president and CEO of Assisted Living Concepts, said they have good legal standing to refuse the subpoena.

"We felt it was a violation of the privacy of the residents given that its a request for all personal information on all residents," Bebo said.

She said their license also doesn't include Medicaid requirements.

"We have no condition on our license that requires the Medicaid population," Bebo said.

She said residents are discharged for various reasons, but all state policies are followed.