5 States Permanently Increased Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Requirements Since COVID-19

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency began in March 2020, at least five states adopted permanent increases to nursing home staffing requirements. These states are Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and Rhode Island. At least one state, Georgia, adopted a permanent decrease. At least two states (Oregon and South Carolina) adopted temporary decreases so that nursing homes could continue to operate despite having staffing problems.

The findings were reported by the Kaiser Family Foundation in an analysis of state actions related to nursing home staffing, wages, and training requirements during the public health emergency. At least . . .