(Providence, RI)--The Rhode Island Health Care Association, which represents most nursing homes in the state, is responding to Governor Gina Raimondo's push for changes to long-term care.As nursing facilities have struggled to contain the spread and impact of the coronavirus, Raimondo said last week that reliance on them needs to be reduced, and that home-based care options should be expanded.The state nursing home group defended the work facilities have done to keep residents safe, and claims the state was slow to address some critical needs early-on during the coronavirus emergency, including personal protective equipment and testing.Rhode Island has, for a while now during this pandemic, seen a statistic of about three-quarters of coronavirus-related deaths being associated with nursing homes.