(Dec. 5, 2025) – On Dec. 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released the repeal of Minimum Staffing Standards that were finalized in 2024 and would have impacted nursing homes and long-term care units. The repeal of these staffing standards coincides with the provisions in the budget reconciliation bill from July of this year, which placed a moratorium on the implementation and enforcement of the staffing standards until 2034.
CMS has opted to repeal and revert to the previous standards instead of implementing a moratorium. They will reinstate the previous standards, including the requirement that facilities have an RN on duty for at least eight consecutive hours daily, seven days a week and to designate a full-time RN as the director of nursing unless waived. This does not impact the facility assessment requirements adopted in 2024. Those requirements remain in place. Reach out to Larry Van Der Wege at lvanderwege@kha-net.org if you have any questions.
--Larry Van Der Wege