Advocacy in Action (May 2024): Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule

Libby Hastings • May 15, 2024

Recently, we have been disheartened by legislative actions that undermine efforts to improve staffing standards in nursing homes, particularly in Kansas. H.R. 5796, co-sponsored by Representatives Tracey Mann, Jake LaTurner, and Ron Estes, seeks to disapprove a federal staffing standard minimum rule that would greatly benefit residents of nursing facilities. Similarly, S.3410, co-sponsored by Senators Roger Marshall and Jerry Moran, aims to address the same issue in the Senate. If passed, these legislations would prohibit the Secretary of Health and Human Services from implementing the final settings rule for minimum staffing in nursing facilities. 

 

The Nursing Home Minimum Staffing Rule finalized on April 22nd will require all nursing homes that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid to have 3.48 hours per resident per day (hprd) of total staffing, including a defined number from both registered nurses (0.55 hprd) and nurse aides (2.45 hprd). It will also require facilities to have a registered nurse onsite 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

At the heart of this issue is the need for adequate staffing levels in nursing homes. Research consistently shows that higher staff-to-resident ratios lead to better outcomes for residents, including reduced rates of infections, fewer falls, and improved overall quality of life. By opposing the implementation of a federal staffing standard minimum rule, these legislators are failing to prioritize the well-being of vulnerable older adults in Kansas and across the nation.

 

Additionally, it's disappointing to see the nursing home industry diverting attention away from the real issue at hand. Instead of lobbying against essential staffing regulations, they should be directing their efforts towards hiring and retaining qualified staff, ensuring fair wages, and creating supportive work environments. Working in a nursing facility is a skilled job that deserves respect, and addressing the staff shortage requires dedicated time and attention.

 

However, amidst these challenges, we find hope in the actions of the Biden administration and advocacy organizations who have pushed for measures to improve staffing standards in nursing homes. We applaud their commitment to addressing this critical issue and urge them to continue their efforts.

 

In Kansas, the Medicaid program spends $95,000-$108,000 annually per resident for often sub-standard care. The state allocates approximately $862 million to long-term care facilities, yet Kansas ranks 46th in addressing the shortage of nurses and nurse aides. Taxpayers deserve greater value for their money, and older Kansans deserve improved long-term care options given the consistently poor performance of many in this industry.

 

We cannot afford to ignore this problem any longer. To effectively address the staffing shortage problem in Kansas, we must also look to other states for guidance and best practices. By learning from successful initiatives implemented elsewhere, we can tailor solutions to suit the unique needs of our state's long-term care facilities. Furthermore, it's crucial to foster a collaborative effort that includes the voices of long-term care residents and staff in these discussions. By actively involving those directly impacted by staffing challenges, we can develop more comprehensive and effective strategies to ensure quality care for all individuals in nursing homes.

 

We encourage our readers to act. Contact your Kansas Congressional delegates and share your stories about why staffing is critical to improving quality metrics across the board.

 

Your voices matter, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of countless individuals in long-term care facilities.

 

Advocacy in Action (May 2025): Statewide Senior Resource Directory Secured in FY 2026 Budget!

By Lenette Hamm • May 1, 2025
Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of KABC and our coalition partners, Kansas has taken a major step forward in improving access to long-term care information. We’re thrilled to share that the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget includes $190,000 in dedicated funding for the creation of a comprehensive statewide senior resource directory , a direct result of our persistent efforts to ensure older adults and their families can navigate care options with confidence and clarity. Language in the approved budget bill reads: “That expenditures in an amount of not less than $190,000 shall be made by the above agency from such account during fiscal year 2026 to create a comprehensive statewide resource directory to provide essential information on long-term care options: And provided further, That such directory shall be accessible in an up-to-date online version as well as in a printable version.” This is a huge win for older Kansans, caregivers, and care professionals , and it builds directly on the success of local efforts like the Douglas County Senior Resource Directory . We know that when people have access to clear, trustworthy information, they are better equipped to make decisions that support dignity, independence, and well-being in aging. We are proud that our voice, and YOURS, was heard. From providing testimony, to meeting with legislators, to amplifying the call for this essential resource, this achievement belongs to all of us who believe that quality care begins with access to information. Next Steps: We’ll be working closely with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to support the development of this directory and ensure it meets the needs of Kansans statewide, both in print and online. T hank you for standing with us. This is advocacy in action and together, we’re making a difference.

Understanding the Special Focus Facility Program

By Libby Hastings • April 21, 2025
Understanding the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program: What Families Need to Know When Choosing a Nursing Home in Kansas When searching for a nursing home for a loved one, families often look for a place that will offer safe, reliable, and compassionate care. One important—but often overlooked—resource that can help inform that decision is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program , managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). What Is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program? The SFF Program was created by CMS to address the most persistent quality problems in nursing homes across the country. Every nursing home that accepts Medicare or Medicaid is regularly inspected to ensure it meets health and safety standards. Most nursing homes will have a few issues identified during these inspections—typically six to seven deficiencies on average—but some facilities consistently fall far below acceptable standards. These nursing homes: Have twice as many deficiencies as the average facility, Have more serious issues , including those that cause actual harm to residents, And show a long-term pattern of poor performance over a span of about three years. Facilities like these may fix issues temporarily, but often fail to address the root causes—resulting in a harmful cycle of repeated violations. That’s where the SFF program comes in. How the SFF Program Works CMS uses inspection data to score nursing homes based on both the number and severity of their deficiencies. Facilities with the highest scores (i.e., the most and most serious problems) are added to a list of SFF candidates . Each state is allowed only a limited number of active SFFs at a time—currently, only 88 facilities nationwide can be enrolled in the program. However, CMS maintains a much longer list of SFF candidates that also meet the criteria but haven't yet been selected for the program due to space limits. Once a facility is chosen as an active SFF: It is inspected every six months instead of the usual once a year. It may face progressive enforcement , such as financial penalties or losing eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid. It must show real, lasting improvements to graduate from the program. A facility "graduates" from the SFF program only after it has two consecutive inspections (after being named an SFF) with no more than 12 relatively minor deficiencies and none at a higher severity level. If a facility continues to have serious violations, CMS may consider terminating its participation in Medicare and/or Medicaid. Why This Matters to Kansas Familie s Being informed about a nursing home’s history can help protect your loved ones. Facilities in the SFF program—or on the candidate list—have serious quality concerns. While some may be working hard to improve, others may continue to struggle with systemic issues that put residents at risk. As of March 2025, the following nursing homes in Kansas are included in the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program: Excel Healthcare and Rehab Topeka (recently closed) Access Mental Health (Peabody) The following facilities in Kansas are currently on the SFF candidate list : Clearwater Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Good Samaritan Society- Liberal Kearny County Hospital Long-Term Care Unit Legacy at College Hill (Wichita) Legacy on 10th Avenue (Topeka) Medicalodges Jackson County Medicalodges Post Acute Care Center (Kansas City) Meridian Rehabilitation and Health Care Center (Wichita) Riverbend Post Acute Rehabilitation (Kansas City) Tanglewood Nursing and Rehabilitation (Topeka) The following facilities graduated from the SFF program: Advena Living of Cherryvale Life Care Center of Osawatomie Anew Healthcare Oxford is a facility that is no longer participating in the Medicare and Medicaid Program. We encourage families to take time to research and ask questions when considering a nursing home. You can access the full national SFF and candidate list on the CMS website here . KABC offers free unbiased Consumer Information Reports on all licensed adult care facilities in Kansas, helping you make an informed choice when deciding between long-term care options. Final Thoughts The Special Focus Facility Program exists to push underperforming nursing homes to do better—but it’s also a signal to the public. When selecting long-term care, knowing whether a facility is on this list can be an important part of making the best choice for your loved one. If you have questions about how to find quality nursing home care in Kansas or want help understanding a facility’s inspection history, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.