Nursing Homes Face a Perfect Storm as Staffing Mandates Exacerbate Labor Shortages and Referral Gridlocks.

The article discusses the challenges faced by New York's long-term care facilities in meeting the state's minimum staffing requirements and the potential consequences of a national staffing mandate imposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Industry leaders are calling for increased funding, particularly for Medicaid reimbursement rates, to help address the workforce shortage.

Some key points from the article include:

• New York's long-term care facilities are struggling to meet the state's minimum staffing requirements due to a severe workforce shortage.
• The state's Medicaid reimbursement rates are not sufficient to cover the costs of staffing, leading to difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff.
• Industry leaders are calling for increased funding, particularly for Medicaid reimbursement rates, to help address the workforce shortage.
• A national staffing mandate imposed by CMS could exacerbate the problem if it does not take into account the unique challenges faced by different states.
• Some potential solutions include allowing medication technicians to work in long-term care facilities and offering scholarships for nurses.
• New York's Assembly Bill A10515, which adds five different therapy roles to the state's staffing mandate, is seen as a step in the right direction.

The article quotes several industry leaders, including Stephen Hanse of LeadingAge New York and Michael Clyne of the New York State Health Facilities Association. They highlight the need for increased funding and flexibility in staffing requirements to address the workforce shortage.

Overall, the article suggests that a one-size-fits-all approach to staffing mandates may not be effective in addressing the unique challenges faced by different states, and that policymakers should consider the specific needs of each state when developing regulations.