Coalition Support Letter for Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act (S. 512/H.R. 1237)

March 5, 2009

United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator:

Binding mandatory arbitration clauses are forcing the elderly and those with disabilities and their families to waive their constitutional right to seek redress in the courts when a nursing home resident suffers harm. These clauses are typically buried in contracts signed by families during one of the most stressful events in their lives – entrusting the care of a vulnerable loved one to strangers – and the clauses effectively compel family members to consent that they will waive the legal rights of a loved one if she or he is injured or dies from neglect or physical abuse while in the facility. The contracts are presented on a take-it-or-leave-it basis, and leave families in the impossible situation of having to sign a contract or forgo nursing home care altogether, a decision that most families are not in the position to make. The undersigned organizations urge you to support the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2009 (S. 512/H.R. 1237), which would invalidate pre-dispute mandatory arbitration provisions in nursing home, assisted living, and other long-term care facility contracts.

Arbitration Fairness Act (H.R. 1020) Introduced Today

Fair Arbitration Now Coalition released the following press release today in Washington as a prelude to the introduction of the Arbitration Fairness Act (H.R. 1020).

Washington, DC – Americans widely oppose corporations using mandatory binding arbitration clauses in the fine print of consumer and employment contracts, according to national polling of likely voters conducted by Lake Research Partners.