In 45 states, nursing homes lack staff to meet new standards

Fewer than half of nursing facilities in 45 states meet all three staffing minimums required in a federal regulation stipulating staffing ratios in nursing homes, according to a KFF analysis. In 28 states, less than 25% of facilities meet all three staffing minimums. The share of facilities meeting the requirements ranges from 5% or fewer in Arkansas, Tennessee, Texas and Louisiana to 50% or higher in Alaska, North Dakota, Maine, Hawaii, Oregon and D.C.  Rural nursing homes are as likely as urban facilities to meet the final rule’s requirements based on current staffing levels, but rural facilities will have more time to comply with the requirements. The analysis uses Nursing Home Compare data from April 2024 and reflects staffing levels from October to December 2023. (KFF news release, 5/21/24)