Labor unions praise Biden’s plan to boost staffing at nursing homes

Labor unions are applauding President Biden’s proposal to increase staffing levels in nursing homes, while some stakeholders criticise that the proposals are unachievable and inadequate.

The proposals: The Biden administration’s new recommendations aim to increase the care given to residents in nursing homes.
* The proposal includes that each nursing home should have at least one registered nurse available 24/7.
* The recommendation also includes a minimum of 33 minutes of a nurse’s time allocated to each patient every day and around 2.5 hours of a certified nursing assistant’s care each day for every resident.
* Moreover, the proposals stipulate that there should be a minimum of one certified nursing assistant for every 10 residents.

Union reactions: Labor unions including AFL-CIO and SEIU, who represent nursing home workers, have praised the administration’s plans.
* SEIU International President Mary Kay Henry referred to the plans as a “bold reform” providing a safer working environment for the nursing home workforce.

Industry reactions: Long-term care industry representatives voiced concerns and criticisms over the feasibility of the staffing level mandates.
* Katie Smith Sloan, President and CEO of LeadingAge, an association of non-profit nursing homes, argues that there are not enough people to hire, particularly nurses, for these mandates to be achieved.

Political reactions: Despite the union’s enthusiasm, some politicians, even from President Biden’s party, find the efforts inadequate.
* Democrat Rep. Lloyd Doggett referred to the proposals as “weak and disappointing,” claiming that they do little to improve the care quality or stop the mistreatment of staff.

Next steps: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid issued the proposed rule on Friday. The comment period on it runs until November 6.

View original article on NPR

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