MIAMI (AP) — Florida health officials are sending staff to visit more than 200 disabled children living in nursing homes, days after federal investigators accused the state of unnecessarily sending medically needy children to adult facilities.
Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek said she dispatched staff Tuesday to visit the facilities and will also meet with parents to make sure they feel the child is in the best place.
U.S. Department of Justice officials said the state has cut in-home medical services leaving parents with no other option than nursing homes.
The state has until Friday to respond. If the state doesn't comply voluntarily, then the U.S. Attorney General may initiate a lawsuit under the federal disability act.
Dudek said her agency is already in compliance.
