We already reported on the new proposed staffing requirements for nursing homes, coming at a time when most everyone in senior living is still struggling with finding enough staff, and paying for them. Coincident with the release of the proposed rules, USA Today published an opinion piece by President Biden.
Now, if anyone thinks he actually wrote it, I have a bridge to sell you. My guess is that he did not even read it. This was a staff piece. Perhaps from Joe’s basement?
I will say one thing, he has been consistent in his criticism of private equity in the nursing home business, but he still gets his facts and names wrong. Not many “private equity” firms have been buying up nursing homes lately. Private investors have, but many of them are also private operators. Why don’t his handlers correct this? You know the answer.
Mr. Biden wrote that “nonprofit nursing homes are three times as likely as for-profit facilities to already satisfy the minimum staffing standard.” It does not hurt that they don’t pay income taxes and many do not pay real estate taxes, but there is no mention of that. Of course. And let’s not forget lower interest rates. That doesn’t help with extra cash flow, does it?
He also wrote that “research shows that these staffing levels will save lives, provide residents with a higher quality of life and prevent needless suffering.” Actually, I have never seen that research, and I am sure he has not either, and while higher staffing can’t hurt, I am not sure it will save lives.
CMS and the Biden administration have to figure out how nursing homes are going to find the staff, and how they will pay for them. But they do not want to hear that. They are just plain deaf to some of the real issues. What a shame.
