A Guide to Writing Comments on the Proposed Assisted Living Regulations

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A Guide to Writing Comments on the Proposed Assisted Living Regulations

 

Whether you agree or disagree with the the Assisted Living Regulations proposed by the PA Department of Public Welfare on August 9, 2008, you will want to communicate your comments in the most effective way possible.  The following points will help you do this:  

  • Comments must be submitted by 5:00 PM on September 15, 2008. 

  • Comments should be sent to:  Gail Weidman, Department of Public Welfare, Office of Long-Term Care Living, P.O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105. 

  • Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service, (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (voice users).

  • The Department of Public Welfare will take each submitted comment document and reply to it, publicly, section by section.   It is important to be as clear as possible regarding the section on which you are commenting.

  • The comments can be in the usual form of a business letter – on your letterhead, addressed to the proper person.  Please be sure to give the title, date of publication, and number 14-514 for the proposal.

  • Open with an introduction of yourself and how you are offering your comments. 

  • Be clear whether you are writing “on behalf of XYZ organization” or as an interested individual.  Include an introduction of your organization or yourself – for example:  “As a physician, or nurse, who has worked in the long term care field for 17 years, I am pleased to submit comments on Regulation 14-514 regarding the regulations for licensure for assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania ....”

  • Explain generally how the proposal affects you or the Pennsylvanians you work with. 

  • Detail the parts of the regulations with which you agree and stress the importance of retaining these provisions.

  • Detail the parts of the regulations with which you disagree – specifically referencing the section that needs change – and stress the urgency of changing these provisions.  Where possible, suggest alternatives to the proposal or to requirements that are part of the proposal. 

  • The more substantive your comments, the more weight they will carry.

Thank you for taking the time to share your comments and support the passage of more complete and effective assisted living regulations.

 

Click here to read the proposed regulations:  http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/Documents/SRCDocuments/Regulations/2712/AGENCY/Document-10301.pdf