HealthLeaders Archives

PBJ News Topic

PBJ Research & Analysis

Changes in US SNF capacity following the COVID-19 pandemic

January 12, 2026

Our Take: A JAMA study using 2018–2024 PBJ data found that U.S. SNF operating capacity declined 5% between 2019 and 2024, twice the rate reflected in licensed bed counts alone. Staffing shortages were…

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Medical director presence and time in US nursing homes

September 2, 2024

Our Take: A peer-reviewed study found that 36.1% of U.S. nursing homes reported zero medical director presence in Q1 2023, based on federal PBJ data from 2017–2023. The findings raise compliance and PBJ…

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Federal and state minimum staffing mandates create PBJ reporting and compliance pressures for skilled nursing operators

August 3, 2023

Our Take: Most SNFs fall below proposed staffing minimums, and operators must prepare for both Federal and state mandates. ▼ Meeting state minimums does not guarantee federal F725 compliance, meaning facilities must evaluate…

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AHCA lobbies against potential minimum staffing regulations

July 25, 2023

Our Take: Trade associations, and provider groups mounted a sustained campaign against an expected minimum staffing mandate. Citing a workforce more than 200,000 jobs below pre-pandemic levels, AHCA, LeadingAge, and the AHA consistently…

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Study: Nursing home staffing in disadvantaged neighborhoods

August 8, 2022

Our Take: A study found that nursing homes located in severely disadvantaged neighborhoods had RN staffing rates 30% lower and PT/OT staffing 38% lower than facilities in less deprived areas. This analysis used…

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CMS issues significant updates to improve the safety and quality care for long-term care residents

June 30, 2022

Our Take: Effective with the July 2022 refresh, CMS added six staffing measures to the Five-Star Quality Rating System, incorporating weekend staffing levels and annual staff turnover, while limiting the overall star bonus…

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Study finds nursing homes rarely have enough RNs on staff

July 30, 2019

Our Take: A review of PBJ staffing data found that most nursing homes rarely met expected registered nurse (RN) staffing levels based on resident acuity and CMS expectations. The findings highlight the growing…

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CMS: hundreds more buildings could receive one-star staffing ratings under new rules

April 30, 2019

Our Take: In April 2019, CMS updated Nursing Home Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System with significant changes to staffing, health inspection, and quality measure ratings. For staffing, the threshold triggering an…

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PBJ News Topics

Read about PBJ regulations, research & news impacting SNFs

Most Recent PBJ News

New Administration signals repeal of staffing mandate

April 1, 2026

Minimum Staffing Roundup

Our Take: From election night through early 2025, the Trump administration has consistently signaled that repealing the Biden-era…

Democratic bills revive minimum staffing debate

March 25, 2026

Minimum Staffing Roundup

Our Take: CMS repealed the nursing home minimum staffing rule in early 2026 following court defeats. Key provisions…

CMS nursing home funding campaign grows to $200 million

March 16, 2026

Minimum Staffing Roundup

Our Take: CMS has expanded its nursing home staffing campaign from $75 million to $200 million. Proposed with…

The effects of labor unions on nurse staffing ratios

March 2, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: A Health Affairs study of 321 newly unionized nursing homes from 2013 to 2021 found that…

Did state staffing mandates add direct care staff or hurt SNF finances?

March 2, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: A study of 6,849 nursing homes in 22 states found that state minimum staffing mandates raised…

Medical Director compliance under increasing federal and state scrutiny

February 23, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: Federal regulators and state lawmakers are intensifying scrutiny of SNF medical directors. OIG is actively reviewing…

SNF benchmarking report points to value based care, Medicare Advantage, and PBJ scrutiny

January 30, 2026

Latest PBJ News

Our Take: Plante Moran’s 2025 SNF Benchmarking Report analyzes data from over 12,000 skilled nursing facilities. They highlighted…

AHCA: Nursing homes added 40,700 jobs in 2025 as turnover, agency use declined

January 28, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: AHCA/NCAL’s January 2026 Nursing Home Workforce Report shows that the nursing home sector added 40,700 jobs…

CMS Special Focus Facility program ‘crack down’ on troubled nursing homes ends use of staffing

January 28, 2026

PBJ Policy & Enforcement

Our Take: A CMS memo originally added staffing to the Special Focus Facility program but later shifted away…

Medicaid staffing bonus increases nurse levels

January 26, 2026

PBJ Research & Analysis

Our Take: A study found that an Illinois Medicaid bonus program increased nurse staffing by 12.2% and reduced…

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