Florida Senator Bill Nelson slams Gov. Scott over nursing home deaths

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The eight senior citizens died after suffering in the sweltering heat for three days in the wake of Hurricane Irma.

He directed the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and Department of Elder Affairs to ensure that all facilities comply with the new emergency rules.

Under the new regulation, all facilities must have sufficient resources including a generator. Facilities must have enough fuel to maintain operations and comfortable temperatures for at least 96 hours after a power outage.

Additionally, the state Fire Marshall must inspect the generators within 15 days of installation in the facilities. Local emergency management officials must approve or deny their emergency plans. Within 48 hours of receiving approvals, facilities must submit proof of compliance with the emergency rules to AHCA and Elder Affairs.

Furthermore, facilities that will not comply with the new regulation will face penalties including a fine of   $1,000 per day and revocation of license.

Gov. Scott says he us fighting to keep elderly safe 

In a statement on Saturday,  Gov. Scott emphasized that he is “aggressively fighting to keep vulnerable residents safe during emergencies.” He expressed “outrage” over the deaths of the elderly.