 Health Care |
Health Care |
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Democrats diverge on White House nursing home rules |
The Biden administration's proposed minimum nursing home staffing rule is facing opposition from some Democrats who fear the rule could negatively impact facilities, particularly in rural areas. |
In September, the White House proposed a rule to establish a federal floor for staffing levels at nursing homes. If finalized, facilities would be required to have a registered nurse (RN) onsite 24/7. - Two additional staffing rules were announced at the time, including a new effort to enforce existing staffing requirements like mandating eight hours of RN care per day.
- Nursing homes would also be required to provide about two-and-a-half hours of per-resident, day-of-care from nurse aides.
Nearly 95 percent of nursing homes do not meet at least one of the three proposed rules, according to the American Health Care Association trade group. "In many parts of the country, America's long-term care facilities are facing severe workforce shortage issues that are harming access to critical care for our nation's seniors," Democratic Sen. Jon Tester (Mont.) wrote in a bipartisan letter. "With this in mind, we are deeply concerned that now is the worst possible time for the United States to establish the nation's first federal staffing mandate for long-term care facilities," he added. Tester was joined by Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Maggie Hassan (N.H.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.), and independents Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) and Angus King (Maine), as well as more than 20 Republicans. - The lawmakers said the rule would result in "limited access to care for seniors, mandatory increases in state Medicaid budgets, and could most consequentially lead to widespread nursing home closures."
- Their arguments echo industry groups who say any federal standard is unfeasible because of a nationwide staffing shortage made worse by the pandemic.
However, other Democrats have called the proposed rules a positive step in the right direction. "Residents deserve the best of care from highly trained, fairly compensated, and sufficiently numbered staff," Reps. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and 99 other House Democrats wrote in a letter, urging the administration to "strengthen and finalize" the proposal. |
Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel and Joseph Choi — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. This newsletter is taking a break for Thanksgiving on Thursday and Friday. We'll see you next week! |
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How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: |
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) called for a "significant, extended humanitarian pause" in Gaza that can build upon Israel's recent deal with Hamas to pause fighting for a few days and afford some hostages their freedom. |
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A man who killed five people at a bank in Louisville earlier this year wrote in his journal that he wanted to demonstrate the consequences of gun laws that he viewed as too lenient, according to police. |
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WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland's new parliament on Wednesday began debating the reinstatement of government funding for in vitro fertilization as its first legislation following elections in which the conservative party that had banned it lost control of the legislature. |
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Novavax is Committed to Helping Ensure Vaccine Access |
Novavax is working to make safe, effective vaccines available worldwide, including an authorized vaccine for COVID-19 that's currently available in the U.S. Learn more. |
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Branch out with a different read from The Hill: |
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CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The sun was shining in June 1979 as Rosalynn Carter made her way through an enthusiastic crowd in Laconia, New Hampshire. "She shook my hand!" yelled one delighted participant. |
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Local and state headlines on health care: |
- Arizona's infant mortality rate rose by 11% last year, new analysis says (The Arizona Republic)
- Is Oklahoma's health information exchange an invasion of privacy? A look at the arguments in a lawsuit (The Oklahoman)
- Court orders Pa. health department to release doctor data for medical marijuana certifications (Spotlight PA)
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Health news we've flagged from other outlets: |
- Anti-abortion groups shrug off election losses, look to courts, statehouses for path forward (KFF Health News)
- Overdose deaths have soared among pregnant people, study reveals (The Washington Post)
- Neck injection could improve smell issues in some long Covid patients (NBC News)
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| The public has increasingly soured on Congress — and now, some House lawmakers are starting to agree. With legislating all but brought to a halt and … Read more |
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Opinion related to health submitted to The Hill: |
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You're all caught up. See you next week! |
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