D.C.’s inspector general opened an investigation into complaints involving home health nurses and aides accused of sleeping on the job after News4 told the story of a patient who said his caregivers repeatedly put him at risk. He shared hours of video footage of workers appearing to sleep through the night.
The story D.C. resident Damon Brooks shared with the News4 I-Team in December struck a chord with many viewers. More than a half-million people viewed our initial report on YouTube.
Brooks is paraplegic and depends on help from nurses and aides in his home through D.C.’s Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities (EPD) waiver program that’s paid for with Medicaid dollars. Now the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of D.C.’s Office of the Inspector General wants answers.
“I don’t want anybody to be a casualty or anybody to lose the quality of life due to somebody’s negligence,” Brooks recently told the News4 I-Team when we checked back in with him.
Brooks is a sports journalist and requires assistance for most hours of the day and night. For years, night after night, he said he’s been unable to wake up some aides when he needed them. He said he was aware that by sharing his story, he might put his health care at risk.
“Sadly, like, I’ve had large gaps in my schedule. Sometimes I get people, sometimes I don’t,” Brooks said.
But he said, since our report, none of his recent aides have been caught sleeping.
The I-Team confirmed Brooks was contacted by agents with the Office of the Inspector General after our story aired.
“They explained to me that some of the things that I’ve been subjected to were not right. They were deemed fraudulent, and that they’re opening an investigation to see how they could possibly assist me with hopefully rectifying the issue,” he said.
In comments on social media, some nurses and aides said they found the behavior inexcusable. Others sympathized with the workers and said they assumed they were exhausted while working multiple jobs to make ends meet on low pay.
‘Think about priorities,’ DC councilmember says on program funding
“It’s a complicated issue, but it’s certainly not an issue that is unique to the District,” D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson said.
The at-large councilmember chairs the health committee and has led hearings on the Elderly and Persons with Physical Disabilities waiver program, looking at what she calls the need for higher compensation for its workers. Almost 7,000 residents are enrolled in the program.
“There are some things that received extra funding programs – offices et cetera – that received extra funding during COVID, that at some point we made the determination, ‘Oh, this is so important. We want to continue it post the COVID era and fund it with local dollars. How can this not be that?’’ Henderson said.
Over four years, Henderson said D.C. has lost an estimated 13% of its licensed health aides and 28% of its certified nursing assistants.
“It’s hard to recruit someone who could be making more at Starbucks or another retail job and it be less labor-intensive work than what they’re currently providing,” she said.
Henderson estimated it will cost more than $89 million in federal and local funds over the next four years to properly fund wage increases for the program. It’s money she said she’s ready to fight for while recognizing it might be difficult during a tough budget season.
“I think it pushes us to think about priorities, right? To think about what is super, super important to us and to try to become creative with that,” she said.
Brooks said he wants to see the D.C. Council find the funding.
“I believe we all have to work together in order to get a common goal and ask for it. Nurse professionals get compensated more, and for patients with disabilities to get the care they deserve and need to thrive in the community,” he said.
What DC’s Department of Health Care Finance said they’re doing
Throughout the I-Team’s investigation, we wanted to talk with the Department of Health Care Finance, which oversees the waiver program and handles complaints. But they did not agree to an on-camera interview. They sent the I-Team a statement.
“The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) takes all complaints seriously and has fully investigated this matter in accordance with our internal processes,” they said. “We addressed the issue directly with the Medicaid provider and took appropriate corrective action to ensure compliance. DHCF actively oversees Medicaid providers and enforces standards through measures such as corrective action plans, technical assistance, civil penalties, enhanced monitoring, or contract termination when necessary. We also continue working with providers to address staffing challenges and ensure that aides remain alert and responsive to beneficiaries’ needs. We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of District residents and holding providers accountable.”
The I-Team pushed to find out what action was taken by DHCF against the provider but has not heard back. Meanwhile, the OIG inquiry continues with Damon’s case.
Henderson said the city is working to fill the deficit of aides and assistants. Legislation would waive licensing fees in D.C. for nurses who are registered in Maryland and Virginia. Last year, D.C. made investments to let high school students begin their education and credentialing work to become certified nursing aides when they graduate.
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