$11.3 Billion Needed to Meet Proposed Federal Minimum Staffing Mandate

Due to increased labor costs and nationwide workforce shortages, 191,000 nurses and nurse aides are needed at the annual cost of $11.3 billion in order for nursing homes to meet a staffing minimum of 4.1 hours per resident day (HPRD).

That’s according to the American Health Care Association (AHCA) and CliftonLarsonAllen, an accounting and consulting firm, which on Thursday released an update to a July 2022 report. 

Among other findings in the updated report, researchers concluded that 94% of nursing homes would be unable to comply with a potential 4.1 HPRD staffing minimum, and that nearly 450,000 residents may be at risk of displacement if facilities are unable to increase their workforce and must reduce their census in order to comply with minimums.