News Article

Make a Difference in the Lives of Residents

July 11, 2024

It finally happened!  After years of advocacy, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released minimum staffing standards for nursing homes.  These rules require Registered Nurses on-site 24 hours per day, 7 days a week; use of evidence-based methods to determine the actual staffing needs of residents, while not staffing below specific levels; notification to ombudsmen, residents and families when a waiver or exception to the standard is permitted; and implements much needed transparency in Medicaid spending. 

Despite what are modest staffing requirements that target the worst-performing facilities and include a generous implementation period as well as exemptions and waivers, the nursing home industry calls the staffing rule “unreasonable,” “a nightmare,” and threatens facility closures at every turn.  The industry is out in full force to stop implementation and prevent the federal government from ever issuing staffing rules in the future. 

Help us continue fighting for residents and respond to industry attacks against these standards!  They are spending millions on lobbying, media, and litigation.  Congress is currently considering resolutions that would block the rule and prohibit CMS from issuing similar rules in the future.  The major associations representing the nursing home industry have filed a lawsuit to set aside the rule.  We cannot let these succeed!

Consumer Voice is at the forefront of efforts to support resident and worker interests in defending the rule and advocating for safe staffing in nursing homes.  Many of you have responded to Action Alerts or signed your organization onto a sign-on letter expressing support for the rule.  We thank you for your advocacy! 

Please help us continue this critical work with a donation.  Your support gives us the ability to make sure the voices of residents, families, and workers are heard.  Voices like Donna’s, who shared that because of lack of staff, she is not gotten out of bed more than three times per week.  Or like Mike’s, who told us his quality of life would be better if he could have his face washed and teeth brushed every day.  And like Sarah’s, who works in a nursing home and can’t provide the care she knows her residents need because there is not enough help.

Our work is possible because of supporters like you.  Help us continue making a difference in the lives of residents by donating as generously as you are able.

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