State Representative Robert Matzie (D-Beaver/Allegheny) has asked the Pennsylvania Attorney General to conduct an investigation into Brighton Rehabilitation & Wellness Center.
In a statement sent to BeaverCountian.com, Matzie revealed he has asked Attorney General Josh Shapiro to investigate allegations that the facility in Brighton Township “performed drug experiments on patients under the guise of clinical trials.”
The statement was part of an announcement of legislation proposed by Matizie that would require the PA Department of Health (DOH) to conduct inspections of nursing homes in the state. The proposal, which was first reported by BeaverCountian.com last week, came just two days after one of his constituents filed litigation against the DOH seeking similar protections.
Ambridge resident Jodi Gill’s federal class-action lawsuit was sparked by concern for her father, Glenn, who is an 81-year-old resident of the Brighton Rehab.
“I have been urging the state to look into conditions at Beaver County’s Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness Center since the last week of March,” Matzie said. “Recently, the facility entered into an agreement with a temporary manager, but the virus continues to spread, and the death toll mounts. The residents, families, staff, leaders in the community and the public at large do not trust that the company is being transparent and doing all it can do to mitigate the spread of the virus.”
But it’s not just my county. The pandemic has hit hard statewide, and the nursing homes that care for our parents and grandparents – our most vulnerable citizens – are ground zero. Staff and residents are being infected at much higher rates than the general public in confined, high-risk environments that have become pressure-cookers. With nursing homes accounting for nearly two-thirds of Pennsylvania’s total deaths, inaction is not an option.”
Matzie is currently circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum seeking support from other legislators for his proposal.
See Also:
– Brighton Rehab Using Experimental Treatment On Patients Who Don’t Have COVID-19
– Brighton Rehab Is “Out Of Control” Claims Nursing Assistant Who Tested Positive For COVID-19
– Beaver County Woman Files Lawsuit Against PA Dept. Of Health Over Handling Of State’s Nursing Homes
An Important Message To Our Readers
BeaverCountian.com’s coverage of the novel coronavirus is being made freely available outside of our normal paywall. We believe the information we are providing is important to all members of our community and should not be limited to just those with financial means.
For those who are able to support our efforts, we would appreciate it if you considered subscribing to gain access to all of our award-winning local reporting. As always, thanks for being a reader of BeaverCountian.com!
