Nearly 100 House members are calling on the Biden administration to reconsider proposed rules setting minimum staffing standards for nursing homes.
In a bipartisan letter sent Friday, led by Rep. Greg Pence (R-Ind.), lawmakers said the rule “limits access to care for older adults and reduces state Medicaid budgets.” “This could lead to a forced increase in the amount of nursing care required, which could ultimately lead to the spread of long-term care.” Home closed. ”
The policy requires facilities to have a registered nurse on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Current federal law requires nursing homes to have a registered nurse on duty eight consecutive hours a day, seven days a week, and to have a certified nurse, either an RN or certified assistant nurse, on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is mandatory to do so.
The proposal angered groups on both sides of the issue. The nursing home industry argues the rules are too burdensome and reduce access to care, while patient advocacy groups say they aren’t strict enough.
Industry groups argue that federal standards are unachievable as the pandemic has exacerbated national labor shortages. They also argue that Medicaid reimbursement rates are so low that this amounts to an unfunded federal mandate.
According to KFF’s analysis, fewer than one in five nursing homes are currently able to meet the required time requirements for registered nurses and nursing assistants.
The House letter echoed many of the industry’s concerns, saying the proposal would “adversely impact nursing homes’ ability to recruit and retain qualified nursing professionals at a time when the health care industry, particularly the long-term care sector, is experiencing challenging conditions.” will be given,” he claimed. We are facing unprecedented levels of labor shortages. ”
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
