Biden administration proposes new federal minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes, drawing criticism

The Biden administration announced the first federal minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes in response to issues with resident care.
The proposed requirements call for a registered nurse on-site 24/7, at least 2.45 hours of care per resident daily from nurse aides, and 0.55 hours of care per resident daily from registered nurses.
The requirements are lower than what many advocates and industry groups hoped for and believe is necessary to improve quality of care.
About 75% of nursing homes would have to add staff to meet the new requirements, which will be phased in over time.
The administration aims to address long-standing complaints about understaffing, neglect and abuse in nursing homes, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.