Speak up!

On September 6, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the highly-anticipated Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposing a minimum safe staffing standard in nursing homes. Consumer advocates and experts believe the proposed staffing levels are dangerous for caregivers and residents.

Consumer Voice also believes the proposed staffing standard does not go far enough to protect residents of nursing homes. While Consumer Voice appreciates that a standard has been proposed, it must be made much stronger so that ALL nursing home residents are safe and living a high quality of life. Consumer Voice recommends:

• Require nursing homes to meet a total staffing standard within the next two years. This total should be made up of at least:
  • 1.4 hours of total licensed nurse care, composed of at least .75 hprd of registered nurse (RN) care; and
  • o 2.80 hprd of certified nurse aide care.

RNs, LPNs/LVNs, and CNAs each have important roles in the provision of quality care to residents. A staffing standard should address total direct care for residents. These staffing levels are supported by decades of research and by the 2023 Staffing Study commissioned by CMS last year.

Read Consumer Voice’s statement on the proposed rule.

If you would like to comment now, visit Consumer Voice’s new webpage with step-by-step instructions on how to comment and suggestions for talking points to include. All comments are due by November 6, 2023.

We strongly urge you to encourage others to comment. It is vital that CMS hears from as many people as possible that this rule needs to be strengthened!

Thank you for making your voice heard!