(Nov. 3, 2023) – On Sept. 6, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services published its proposed minimum staffing standards in the Federal Register. The rule would establish minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities. The Kansas Hospital Association's comment letter points out the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on staffing, which makes compliance with the proposed regulations in Kansas nearly impossible. KHA suggests a better way to improve safety in long-term care facilities would be to focus on the underlying issues of workforce shortages, insufficient payment rates and regulatory burdens.
The comment period for the rule ends on Monday, Nov. 6. Comments can be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov/.
--Audrey Dunkel