Washington, D.C. – The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL), representing more than 14,000 nursing homes and other long term care facilities across the country that provide care to approximately five million people each year, released a statement ahead of today’s U.S. House Committee on Energy & Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health hearing titled, “Supporting Access to Long-Term Services and Supports: An Examination of the Impacts of Proposed Regulations on Workforce and Access to Care.”
The following statement is attributable to AHCA/NCAL Senior Vice President of Government Relations Clif Porter:
“We appreciate Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Subcommittee Chairman Brett Guthrie for holding today’s hearing on this important issue, especially at this critical moment for our nation’s long term care system. The Biden Administration’s recently proposed federal staffing mandate for nursing homes will have a devastating impact on access to care for America’s seniors and their families. To implement this amidst a historic and growing caregiver shortage and without any funding or supportive programs to help nursing homes actually boost their workforce levels is simply irresponsible. It will only force nursing homes to limit admissions or close altogether. It’s imperative that policymakers understand the real-world consequences of this rule.”
“The vast majority of nursing homes do not currently meet at least one of the three requirements proposed in this rule. If implemented in its current form, it could displace nearly 300,000 residents as well as leave a growing elderly population with fewer options. Even if it wasn’t impossible to meet, there is no clear evidence that staffing minimums would enhance quality care—a finding made by the Administration’s own study.”
“My hope is that after today’s hearing, Members of Congress will continue to urge the Biden Administration to reconsider this one-size-fits-all policy and instead focus on more meaningful and comprehensive policies that will actually help long term care facilities recruit workers as well as build a strong pipeline of caregivers. Nursing homes share the Biden Administration and Congress’ commitment to improving resident care, but this won’t happen through unfunded staffing mandates. We look forward to today’s hearing and will continue working with Congress and the Administration to find more productive ways to ensure our nation’s seniors have access to the high-quality care they need and deserve.”