Governor Schwarzenegger has cut funding to a program local communities use to investigate problems at nursing homes. Critics say the cut will cripple the ombudsman programs statewide. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.
The governor made the cuts when he signed the state budget a few weeks ago.
San Diego's ombudsman program lost more than 100,000 dollars in state funds. That will ake it tougher for the watchdog to investigate and respond to complaints.
Pat McGuiness directs the non-profit California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform .
Pat McGuiness: This is gonna have a major impact on the quality of care for residents of nursing facilities and residential care facilities. It's a very, very, very, very sad thing that the governor did.
McGuiness says the state agency that inspects nursing homes doesn't provide adequate oversight.
A recent federal report said 90 percent of facilities nationwide were cited for health violations last year.
Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.
