Biden's Pledge on Nursing Home Staffing Requirements May Not Materialize

The Biden administration's promise to establish minimum staffing levels for nursing homes has been criticized after a research study commissioned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) made no specific recommendations and analyzed staffing levels lower than previous evaluations. The study concluded that there is no single staffing level that guarantees quality care, but higher staffing levels would lead to improved care outcomes. Patient advocates are concerned that the administration will fall short of its pledge to protect nursing home residents, as the proposals for new rules are already six months behind schedule. The nursing home industry has been lobbying against a uniform ratio of patients to nurses and aides, citing workforce challenges and the need for increased Medicaid payments. The study, which has not been formally released, has been described as "heartbreaking" by advocates who argue that it undermines efforts to hold facilities accountable for understaffing.