Genesis Settles Discrimination Case In RI, MA Nursing Homes

PROVIDENCE, RI — The U.S. Attorney's offices in the Rhode Island and Massachusetts districts settled with a health care company to resolve allegations it discriminated against people being treated for opioid addiction at its nursing homes.

The settlement came after the U.S. Attorney's Office received complaints accusing Genesis HealthCare Inc. of denying admission at their 12 facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. According to federal authorities, the Pennsylvania-based company turned people away who were being treated for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine or methadone.

The complainants told federal authorities they sought admission for health issues unrelated to their dependency, but also needed the nursing homes to administer medication for their addiction. Federal authorities said Genesis violated the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and the Rehabilitation Act, by refusing admission for these patients.

"As Rhode Island and the rest of the country continues to confront an overdose crisis, individuals in recovery should never have to face discriminatory barriers to healthcare,” said Richard Myrus, the acting U.S. Attorney for Rhode Island. "Elimination of these discriminatory barriers is not only a right under federal civil rights laws, it can be a matter of life and death."

Under the settlement, Genesis' 12 nursing facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts will adopt a non-discrimination policy and provide training on federal civil rights laws and opioid use disorder to its employees. The company will also pay a civil penalty of $60,000, and $50,000 of the penalty will be suspended and forgiven if the Genesis designated facilities comply with the terms of the agreement.

"We appreciate Genesis's cooperation in modifying its policies for compliance with the ADA, and we encourage other skilled nursing facilities to proactively do the same," Myrus said.