PHOENIX - The health care reform bills have provisions that could help protect seniors from elder abuse.
The U.S. House bill would require background checks nationwide for those who care for the elderly and overhaul state laws that some say have enabled offenders to return to caring for the elderly.
The U.S. Senate bill now up for debate has a more elaborate Elder Justice Act.
It would increase federal aid for identifying and investigating elder abuse at the state and local level.
It would also require long term care providers to report any suspected abuse to federal authorities.
