Study on State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs

(a) In general The Assistant Secretary shall seek to enter into a contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (referred to in this section as the National Academies) to conduct a study on the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs carried out under the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.), including an assessment of the effectiveness of such programs and any related challenges and recommendations. The study shall include an assessment of the current (as of the date on which the contract is entered into) recommended staff-to-bed ratio for such programs, as appropriate. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date on which a contract is entered into under subsection (a), the National Academies shall publicly issue a report on the findings of the study under this section.