Kaiser Family Foundation’s (KFF) latest analysis examines the recently proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), focusing on new requirements for nurse staffing levels in nursing facilities. The new proposed rule includes several provisions to bolster staffing in nursing homes. It proposes a minimum of 0.55 registered nurse (RN) and 2.45 nurse aide hours per resident day; requires facilities to have an RN on staff 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; strengthens staffing assessment and enforcement strategies; creates new reporting requirements regarding Medicaid payments for institutional long-term services and supports (LTSS); and provides $75 million for training for nurse aides. The analysis reveals that fewer than 1 in 5 nursing facilities currently meet the required number of hours for registered nurses and nurse aides, highlighting the need for additional staffing in over 80% of facilities. It also provides insights into variations by facility type and state, with implications for the quality of care in nursing homes. The report also explores CMS’s alternative staffing standards and discusses key issues to watch in this area.
Click here to read the analysis.
