Biden Administration Finalizes New Staffing Rules for Nursing Homes

The new federal regulations mandate minimum staffing levels in nursing homes to improve care and safety, set to phase in over the next few years.

The Biden administration has introduced first-ever federal minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes, requiring at least 3.48 hours of care per resident per day.
The rules also mandate that a registered nurse be on-site 24 hours a day at every skilled nursing facility.
Industry representatives argue the new mandates are unworkable due to a national shortage of nurses, predicting significant challenges in meeting these standards.
The regulations will phase in gradually, with provisions for rural facilities and those facing severe staffing shortages.
Critics from the nursing home industry warn that the new rules could lead to facility closures and increased operational costs.