Vice President Kamala Harris has announced new federal rules for nursing homes, setting a minimum staffing level and requiring that a portion of their federal funding be allocated toward higher wages for workers. It’s the first time the federal government has implemented staff requirements for nursing homes, a response to staffing shortages exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rules mandate a registered nurse be on-site 24 hours a day and staffing levels sufficient to provide nearly four hours of care per resident each day.

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According to the white house, the Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule will require all nursing homes that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid to have 3.48 hours per resident per day of total staffing, including a defined number from both registered nurses, 0.55 hours per resident per day, and nurse aides, 2.45 per resident per day.

For facilities with 100 residents, this translates to a minimum of three registered nurses and 11 nurse aides per shift. Some nursing homes have expressed concerns, stating the staffing standards are unachievable due to a shortage of workers.

The rule will also ensure adequate compensation for home care workers by requiring that at least 80 percent of Medicaid payments for home care services go to workers’ wages.

Higher wages could lower staff turnover and improve care quality for older adults and people with disabilities nationwide.