Nursing Home Staff Shortages Exposed by Pandemic: White House Launches Push for Solutions

Vice President Kamala Harris announced new rules to set minimum staffing levels at federally funded nursing homes and ensure funds go towards care worker wages. The regulations, implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic exposed poor staffing conditions, aim to improve care and reduce emergency room visits for residents. Republicans expressed concern over the new requirements, citing shortages in rural areas. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra defended the change, emphasizing the need for quality care. The rules, which mandate staffing equivalent to 3.48 hours per resident per day, will impact about 15,000 nursing homes across the U.S. Despite industry pushback, advocates see the rules as a step towards better care for vulnerable residents.

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