Nearly three-dozen residents of Michigan nursing homes have died of suspected neglect or abuse in the past four years, according to a Bridge Michigan review of state and federal records and court documents. Bridge’s investigation documented nearly 6,000 cases of abuse, neglect, exploitation or quality of life and care violations among the more than 15,000 total citations for violations ranging from incomplete paperwork to poor care. In all, homes have been fined $21.5 million over the past three years and been denied a total of 6,451 days of Medicaid reimbursements. Michigan lawmakers have failed to pass laws to protect residents, including requiring more per-patient staff time. Families say they aren't informed about death investigations.
