The Biden administration and labor groups are hoping for change. The US Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed a rule to implement minimum staffing standards in long-term care facilities, with the public comment period ending on 6 November. If implemented, it would be the first ever minimum federal staffing standard for nursing homes that care for 1.2 million people.
Under the proposed rule, CMS estimates 75% of facilities would have to improve staffing in their facilities. The rule requires nursing homes provide residents with a minimum of 0.55 hours of care from a registered nurse per resident per day and 2.45 hours of care from a nurse aide per resident every day…
"Our country's long-term care system is in the midst of a catastrophic crisis, and nursing home workers and residents have suffered unspeakable consequences…"
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The nursing home industry is a multi-billion dollar industry with about 70% of nursing homes operating as for-profit facilities. In recent years private equity firms have increased their ownership or stake in nursing homes, with research demonstrating private equity ownership results in worse health outcomes.
