Takeover Threatens Nursing Home Care

In an effort to improve nursing home care in Maryland, one of the state's healthcare workers unions last week launched a new campaign calling on global buyout giant the Carlyle Group to put care above profits in the $6.3 billion takeover of nursing home chain HCR Manor Care. "Nursing homes buyouts are great for CEO profits but they are a raw deal for seniors," said John Reid, Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Maryland/DC Division. "This takeover looks no different. The executives at Carlyle and Manor Care appear to have set up this deal to enrich themselves at the expense of seniors, taxpayers, and workers. The Carlyle Group has a responsibility to the people of Maryland to improve care and ensure safe staffing at these homes." SEIU is mobilizing a coalition of members, manor care workers, residents, family members of residents and advocacy groups, running radio ads and sending direct mail urging the public to contact Carlyle CEO David Rubenstein, reaching out to state lawmakers and regulators, calling on Carlyle to make specific commitments to improve care at Manor Care nursing homes, and launching a new website to educate the public about the takeover and its impact on seniors, taxpayers, and workers.