LeadingAge staff met with staff from OMB, CMS, Domestic Policy Council, and HHS Office of the Secretary staff recently to articulate our position on staffing ratios, prior to the release of the proposed regulation. Information is publicly available about meetings with OMB on not-yet-published or finalized rules – so LeadingAge is officially on record. Emphasis was made on the commitment to providing high quality care, noting that potentially taking money out of nursing homes (with CMPs for not complying with ratios) detracts from quality and inequitably harms small, single site providers. LeadingAge reiterated the points that have been made in the “Get Real on Ratios” campaign – need reimbursement to cover the increased costs; ratios will only work with confirmation that there is not a healthcare staffing shortage in the state or city; and one size does not fit all. Thanks to members, especially those who participate in the Nursing Home Member Network, LeadingAge was able to cite specific examples and stories. Per the process for meetings with OMB on upcoming releases, Executive Branch staff listened but did not ask questions or volunteer information.
