NORC Library

Policy to Practice: CMS Guidance and Proposed Rules to Ensure Rights of Same-Sex Spouses

January 7th, 2015

CMS has issued guidance and proposed regulatory revisions that provide equal treatment to all spouses, regardless of sex, of a valid marriage, even if the state where the individual lives or receives services does not recognize same sex marriage.  Both the proposed rules and revised language for the State Operations Manual, Appendix PP – Guidance to Surveyors for Long-Term Care Facilities (Appendix PP) were issued December 12, 2014.  This policy to practice brief provides more information and details how ombudsmen can use the new guidance in their advocacy efforts.

Policy to Practice: CMS Guidance and Proposed Rules to Ensure Rights of Same-Sex Spouses

• Proposed Rules (comments are due February 10, 2015)
• Revised Guidance