Long-term care staffing minimums have been a major topic in the industry for a long time. The 2020 pandemic revealed a few truths about nursing home staffing, including that lessening training requirements is not effective, and fewer staff members equals higher likelihood of resident abuse. We know that 1 out of 10 adults over the age of 65 experience some form of abuse. We also know that nursing home staff turnover is nearly 50% and that residents currently receive less than two hours of direct care per day. A minimum staffing rule is long overdue—despite the pushback. In 2024 The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) released an update and final rule. In 2025, due to budget considerations and the presidential administration change-over, a Congressional committee is considering delaying implementing the changes for 10 years.
Essentials for the Staffing Rule
The primary concern with a staffing rule is that some nursing homes will not be able to meet the requirements and suffer or close as a consequence, which hardly seems beneficial to residents. However, most requirements seem to be a logical standard that should have been in place from the beginning. Some of the essentials for the staffing rule are simple:
An RN must be on site 24 hours per day and 7 days per week (24/7 RN) with an exemption of 8 hours per day under certain circumstances.
All facilities must provide 3.48 total nurse staffing hours per resident day (HPRD)
All facilities must have efficient processes for assessing and documenting the necessary resources and staff required to provide ongoing care to all residents
These are just the basics. And while some of these rules have been implemented, the Congressional committee is suggesting we halt the push as part of a budget reconciliation bill.
Update
Early in May, a bill was introduced that addresses the primary concerns regarding the staffing standard. The staffing standard is seen as “nonsensical government rules that undermine access to care, such as the one-size-fits-all Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule that threatens to close thousands of nursing home facilities” by some.
Essentially, if the legislation passes, further implementation of the rule—including the 24/7 on-site RN—would be delayed until 2035.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-624-7313) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.
Update: Minimum Staffing Rule
Long-term care staffing minimums have been a major topic in the industry for a long time. The 2020 pandemic revealed a few truths about nursing home staffing, including that lessening training requirements is not effective, and fewer staff members equals higher likelihood of resident abuse. We know that 1 out of 10 adults over the age of 65 experience some form of abuse. We also know that nursing home staff turnover is nearly 50% and that residents currently receive less than two hours of direct care per day. A minimum staffing rule is long overdue—despite the pushback. In 2024 The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) released an update and final rule. In 2025, due to budget considerations and the presidential administration change-over, a Congressional committee is considering delaying implementing the changes for 10 years.
Essentials for the Staffing Rule
The primary concern with a staffing rule is that some nursing homes will not be able to meet the requirements and suffer or close as a consequence, which hardly seems beneficial to residents. However, most requirements seem to be a logical standard that should have been in place from the beginning. Some of the essentials for the staffing rule are simple:
These are just the basics. And while some of these rules have been implemented, the Congressional committee is suggesting we halt the push as part of a budget reconciliation bill.
Update
Early in May, a bill was introduced that addresses the primary concerns regarding the staffing standard. The staffing standard is seen as “nonsensical government rules that undermine access to care, such as the one-size-fits-all Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule that threatens to close thousands of nursing home facilities” by some.
Essentially, if the legislation passes, further implementation of the rule—including the 24/7 on-site RN—would be delayed until 2035.
Read more about the legislation introduced.
If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-624-7313) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.