Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021
The Nursing Home Improvement and Accountability Act of 2021 will change the future of the nursing home industry forever. For the better. But only if it passes.
The law provides the industry more funds for safe staffing and significant staffing reform. Experts also encourage small group homes as an alternative to the larger traditional institutional facilities. This will help decrease infections and increase quality of care.
“Should this bill become law, the entire Green House Project team stands ready and eager to help any person or organization interested in participating in the program,” The Green House Project Senior Director Susan Ryan said. “We won’t rest until every elder in America – regardless of income, race, ethnicity, or hometown – has a host of human-centered options for care in the setting of their choice, including a small-home campus.”
The Act will raise the federal Medicaid payment to states by three percentage points for the first four years and then two points over the next year, and one point for the last year. That is a lot of money to States. However, the funds must be to increase staffing levels or increase staff pay. CMS will also require a registered nurse to be on duty 24/7 instead of only 8 hours per day, and a full-time infection control specialist.