Re: “Colorado 1 of 6 states that doesn’t require criminal background checks for nurses,” June 27 news story.
Your June 26 article about Colorado not requiring nurses to undergo criminal background checks to receive licensure points out an important policy issue for the health care community. While there is no requirement for a nurse to have a criminal background check in order to become licensed, we want to make sure it is recognized that Colorado nursing homes do in fact require criminal background checks before hiring any employee. This is both a state and federal requirement for participation in Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as best practice. Thanks to the work of our Board of Directors, our member communities, and a willing legislature, this has been the law in Colorado since the early 2000s.
As the largest trade association for long-term care communities in the state, the Colorado Health Care Association proudly stands by this legislation, as it does with all laws and regulations designed to keep safe our most vulnerable populations.
Doug Farmer, Highlands Ranch
The writer is president and CEO of the Colorado Health Care Association.
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