>>i'm the program director of the ombudsman program and i've spoken here before that's why. >>are you -- >>program director. >>program director. >>correct. >>you came to our commission for many times an you oversee the san francisco nursing homes? >>we go to skilled nursing, both long term and the rehabilitation nursing facilities, some of which are actually included in the acute hospital buildings. i've come to the advisory group, i've i've come to legislative group over the years, yes. >>right now the agency going to get $148,000. will it include -- we listen to you for many times. you always [inaudible]. >>it will improve or ability as measured in the number of unannounced visits to see what's really going on that might make vinls living in these places unhappy an dissatisfied and overall, if we can sustain this augmentation through capacity building and future years, it will certainly improve our oversight and hopefully improve some of the conditions affecting residents or patients and skilled nursing, both short term rehab as well as long term, as well as in residential

strengthen the oig's internal whistleblower program as well as the whistleblower protection ombudsman program. i set a tone at the top for our organization regarding the importance of how we protect whistleblower's rights and confidentiality. we review allegations of waste fraud, mismanagement in va programs and operations. our hotline serves as the central point of contract for individuals to report allegations. we take this seriously, and our responsibility not to disclose the identity of an employee who has made a complaint or provided information. when an individual contacts us we advise them of their right to submit their complaint anonymously and to identify themselves or to waive the right of the confidentiality. all complaints are evaluated. using our available but limited resources, we must be highly selective in the cases we accept. we also make case referrals to the va in accordance with the complaint referral directive. we make every effort to make sure an official separate from and at a higher grade than the alleged wrong doers responsible for conducting the review of the allegat

president, this bill also includes important provisions to strengthen the long-term care ombudsman program and to help protect our vulnerable seniors from financial exploitation and abuse. financial exploitation of our seniors is a growing epidemic that costs them an estimated $2.9 billion in 2010. it is so disturbing that in 90% of these cases the abuse the financial exploitation is perpetrated by a family member, a trusted individual, a caregiver, someone whom the senior knows well. the aging committee has held hearings to highlight this issue, and the bill that will become -- be coming before the senate later today will take steps to strengthen the federal response to this growing problem. mr. president, of course, passage by the senate, while an essential step, is not the final step in reauthorizing this significant law. i look forward to continuing to work with the chairman, the ranking member, and our colleagues here and in the house to make the reauthorization of the older americans act a reality this year and how wonderful it would be if it could be a reality this month which marks

three weeks taken immediate steps to strengthen the oig's whistleblower program as well as our whistleblower protection ombudsman. these actions are outlined in a statement. activities action to establish clear expectations and set a tone for our organization, regarding the importance of how we protect whistleblowers' right. the oig is the primary body for receiving allegations of fraud and misuse in operations. our hotline serves as the central point of contact for individuals report allegations. we take this seriously. our responsibility not to disclose the identity of an employee who has made a complaint provided information. when an individual contacts us can you advise them of their rights to submit their complaint anonymously. we identified that they identify themselves but to remain confidential and advise them of the potential consequences of the decision. all complaints are evaluated. using our available limited resources, we must be highly selective in the cases we accept. we also make case for photos to v.a. in accordance with our direction. make every effort to make sure an official separate from and