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Question: There are several proposals in Congress that address the need for minimum staffing ratios in nursing homes. How does this bill address staffing?
This is not a long-term care bill, although the bill authors recognize staffing is an important issue. The authors have reviewed the CMS Nursing Home Staffing Study, Part II, and understand that having adequate staff to assist residents in nursing homes is critical to the quality of their care. There are several nursing home staffing proposals in Congress. In any event, the Elder Justice proposal addresses nursing home staffing in several ways: (1) criminal background checks for workers; (2) grants to enhance recruitment of direct care staff; (3) grants to create management practices that demonstrate reduced turnover rates; and (4) tax incentives to retain qualified workers.