13 U.S. Senators Warn CMS: Staffing Mandate May Worsen SNF Access

As the federal staffing minimum mandate proposal and study is due to be revealed in a matter of months, some state leaders are calling on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to rethink the mandate’s “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Thirteen senators across nine rural states last week issued a letter addressed to CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, concerned the proposal would significantly affect access to nursing home care in more remote markets.

Senators worry the staffing mandate would result in additional closures across rural America, as a result of a disproportionate financial burden placed on such facilities.

U.S. Senators Jon Tester (D-MT), John Barrasso (R-WY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Steve Daines (R-MT) sent the letter on Friday.

Senators John Thune (R-SD), Gary Peters (D-MI), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Mike Rounds (R-SD) also signed the letter.