Latest Legislative Updates in the Nursing Home Sector
1. Senators urge CMS to withhold staffing mandate: A group of senators has written to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requesting that they withhold a proposed rule requiring minimum staffing levels in skilled nursing facilities. The senators argue that this requirement would have unintended consequences, including reducing access to care for veterans.
2. OIG estimates 1 in 4 for-profit nursing homes not complying with infection control staffing rules: According to the Office of Inspector General (OIG), approximately one-quarter of for-profit nursing homes are not adhering to regulations regarding infection control staffing.
3. Updated COVID shots from Pfizer, Moderna cleared by FDA: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved updated versions of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
4. CMS has received 12K complaints of No Surprises noncompliance; won $1.7M in restitution: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has reported receiving over 12,000 complaints regarding non-compliance with the No Surprises Act. As a result, CMS has secured approximately $1.7 million in restitution.
5. New Jersey to erase $100M of medical debt: New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced that the state will eliminate around $100 million worth of medical debt for approximately 85,000 residents.