Schakowsky Statement on Nursing Home Staffing Proposal

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) a Chief Deputy Whip and Co-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus Task Force on Aging and Families, released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s announcement of new actions on nursing home safety:

“Today, much to the chagrin of the nursing home lobby, the Biden Administration announced a proposed rule on minimum nursing home staffing standards. I am pleased that the proposal promotes payment transparency and addresses the nursing shortage. This is a welcome first step, but we must go further to meet the necessary minimum staffing levels. The data shows that safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios result in higher quality care for patients, lower health care costs, and a better overall workplace for nurses. For years, we have seen nurses speak out, march, and advocate for safer patient care conditions. I have talked with exhausted nurses who have said they go home at night, wondering if they forgot to turn a patient because they were stretched far too thin. I will continue to work with the Biden Administration to ensure quality care for nursing home residents and to support the nursing workforce.”

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