Lawmaker, providers strike back after HHS leader promotes nursing home minimum staffing mandate

A Congresswoman and two major US nursing home associations hit back Wednesday, the day after Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra defended the administration’s plan to impose first-ever nursing home minimum staffing levels.

Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN) raised the topic during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing Tuesday. Becerra did not directly answer her questions pertaining to the potential effects of a mandate on providers and operators.

[Fishbach told McKnight’s] “I have sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is under the purview of the Department of Health and Human Services, encouraging them to reconsider this (minimum staffing) proposal and instead focus on working with stakeholders to develop innovative solutions that boost the recruitment and retention of qualified nursing professionals.”

The American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, also railed against Becerra’s comments Wednesday.

“Staffing requirements without resources or workforce development programs will not solve this labor crisis,” the AHCA/NCAL statement continued. “We will continue to advocate for meaningful support and investments to help strengthen the long term care workforce.”