Massachusetts strengthens nursing home oversight and targets RegalCare owner

The Massachusetts Public Health Council has approved new regulations to strengthen oversight of long-term care facilities. These rules expand the Department of Public Health’s authority to review the track records of companies seeking nursing home licenses and implement stricter standards, including new staff training requirements.

In a related development, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued a notice of intended agency action against Eliyahu “Eli” Mirlis, the owner of 12 RegalCare facilities. The department found Mirlis unsuitable to operate long-term care facilities following investigations into substandard care and misrepresented licensure status in other states. Mirlis previously reached a settlement regarding the billing of medically unnecessary services to MassHealth and Medicare.

The regulatory changes follow a Spotlight investigation by the Boston Globe, which highlighted issues with out-of-state owners acquiring local facilities despite poor care records. Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein stated the department must be accountable to the public and improve oversight to protect resident well-being.