The Tennessee General Assembly has passed the Long Term Care Community Choices Act this year. Senator Mark Norris said the bill will cut through some of the bureaucratic red tape and make it easier for seniors to qualify for professional care.

The bill will allow state funds to be used for in-home care, instead of giving all of that money to nursing homes. Senator Norris said he's hopeful the bill will incite other reforms, such as providing care to people who must provide financially for their children as well as their parents.

State legislators voted down a bill that was intended to limit liability for nursing homes that provide negligent or inadequate care. That bill's defeat is viewed widely as a victory for those who are vulnerable to nursing home abuse.