...have labor running the retirement and benefits division for as long as the director's not there," Jardell said. But Ron Cowan, the state's long-term care ombudsman, said losing union protection could hamper his ability to point out problems...

...percent. The quality measures, posted at www.medicare.gov, should at least provide a basis for questions, said Ron Cowan, Alaska's long-term care ombudsman. "People will be able to look at any given nursing home, and among other things...