Article Summary –
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced new rules to combat worker shortages and improve care in federally funded nursing homes. The regulations will require such facilities, which receive Medicare and Medicaid funding, to maintain a certain number of registered nurses and nurse aides, and to use 80% of Medicaid payments for employee wages. The move is in response to staffing issues that have negatively affected nursing homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice President announces new nursing home regulations
Vice President Kamala Harris announced new regulations on April 22 to combat worker shortages and improve care at federally funded nursing homes.
The new rules mandate nursing homes receiving Medicare and Medicaid funding to maintain a specific number of registered nurses and nurse aides at all times. They also require 80% of Medicaid payments to be used for employee wages.
Addressing the worker shortage issue at a roundtable event, Harris emphasized the potential benefits for residents, families, and care workers.
A report published in February by the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general highlighted staffing shortages in nursing homes since the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to adverse outcomes for residents.
Another report by the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living demonstrated the severity of the problem, with 46% of nursing homes limiting new admissions due to staffing shortages. Furthermore, 66% expressed concern over possibly needing to close their facilities due to ongoing workforce issues.
The Biden administration’s new regulations aim to address these crisis, benefiting both facility workers and residents. Harris expressed her gratitude to healthcare workers and underlined the need to recognize their value and provide necessary support.
Nursing home workers at the roundtable event expressed gratitude for the new regulations. Lisa Gordon, a certified nursing assistant, emphasized the importance of adequate staffing levels for quality care.
April Verrett, the secretary-treasurer of the Service Employees International Union, also thanked the Biden administration, highlighting the impact on the lives of millions of care workers and those they care for.
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