BRADENTON, Fla.  — Congress is now looking into five of the nation’s largest for-profit nursing home companies over concerns of how each company handled the coronavirus crisis. One of those companies operates a number of elder care facilities in the Tampa Bay Area.

U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn, the Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, launched the investigation last week. The subcommittee sent letters to Genesis HealthCare, Life Care Centers of America, Ensign Group, SavaSeniorCare and Consulate Health Care, asking for documents and information related to COVID-19 cases and protocols.

According to its website, Consulate Health Care operates nearly 20 elder care facilities in the Bay Area. The most recent numbers from the Florida Department of Health show between those 20 facilities there have been a total of 32 COVID-19 related deaths.

Of that number, 13 have been connected to Bradenton Health Care, one of the company’s facilities in Manatee County.

88-year-old Pat Shulko began rehabilitation at Bradenton Health in late April for what daughter Linda Lay describes as a mild case of pneumonia. Lay said once she was there Shulko’s health quickly started to decline.  

She then tested positive for COVID-19 and died within 21 days.

“I talked to my mom two hours before she passed away," Lay explained. "She couldn’t speak. But I asked her if she could close her eyes or blink at me and she did. I wanted to be there but it went so quickly.”

Lay said Shulko left behind a notebook that described what she called unprepared staff and questionable treatment.

“My daughter and I sat there and cried as we tried to read it, because progressively, every day her handwriting would get worse,” Lay said. “And we sat there and just cried that my mother was going through that.” 

We reached out to Consulate Health Care for this story and received the following statement from spokesperson Jennifer Trapp:

"The coronavirus pandemic has caused severe impacts across the country and we grieve any loss of life suffered during these unprecedented times.  Healthcare providers, including long-term care facilities, have been on the front lines of the fight to stem this crisis. 

At Consulate, we continue to work tirelessly to protect our residents and staff from the on-going threat of COVID-19.  Although the crisis is not yet over, Consulate has been a proven leader in its response to this pandemic. 

According to CMS and the CDC, Consulate's COVID-19 cases as well as COVID-19 related deaths are significantly lower (more than 50% lower) than the nursing home provider average. While we stand with the rest of the country that even one loss of life is one too many, we remain extremely appreciative of the vigilant efforts of our frontline nurses and caregivers for their commitment and dedication to protecting our patients during this global pandemic. 

We look forward to cooperating with the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, and we welcome all constructive efforts by policymakers to improve the functioning of our health care system and promote positive outcomes for America's deserving seniors."