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HomeMy WebLinkAbout79-046 MannarelliFACTS: STATE ETHICS COMMISSION HARRISBURG PA. September 5, 1979 OPINION OF THE COMMISSION John E. Mannarelli, D.O.N.H.A. Executive Director Erie County Geriatric Center RD #2 Girard, PA 16417 RE: Conflict of interest where a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators is also the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of County Afilliated Homes. 79 -046 Dr. Mannarelli is a physician member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators and the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of County Afilliated Homes. The Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners administers the Nursing Home Administrators License Act (Public Law 378) and are responsible for issuing the licenses to Nursing Home Administrators, regulating the practice of Nursing Home Administrators, and establishing rules and regulations for the administration of the License Act. One of the membership requirements for the Board is that three members will be actively involved "with the care of chronically ill and infirm aged patients and who repre- sents professions or occupations other than nursing home administration such as medicine, nursing, and hospital administration." Dr Mannarelli represents the medical profession on the Board. The Association works with members of the Departments of Health and Welfare and County Commissioners on the admin- istration and management of the facilities. The Department of Health- is responsible for licensing all facilities; the Department of welfare is the reimbursement agency-for Medicaid Funds. The Association has not and will not appear before the Board because the Association is concerned with the physical aspects of homes while the Board is concerned with the licensure the Administrators. John E. Mannarelli, D.O.N.H.A. ,DISCUSSION: Page Two Dr. Mannarelli is a "public official" as that term is used in Act 170. The question before the Commission is whether a conflict of interest exists while Dr. Mannarelli is a member of the State Board of Examiners and treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of the County Affilliated Homes. The State Board is responsible for certification and decertification of Nursing Home administrators; they have no responsibility in the operation or management of the facilities. The Association does not attempt to influence the State Board of Examiners. CONCLUSION: There is no conflict of interest in Dr. Mannarelli's continuing as a member of the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators and the treasurer of the Pennsylvania Association of County Afilliated Homes as long as that Association does not represent any person or body before the State Board of Examiners. This prohibition would also restrict Dr. Mannarelli from participating in the development and strategic planning of concerns which may be presented to the State Board of Examiners by any group. This letter is a public record by law and will be made available as such. aul J. $y(tith Chairman