nursing homes

A lawsuit filed Tuesday by 20 states challenging a federal rule mandating higher staffing levels in nursing homes alleges that facilities will be forced to close.

The Indiana State Nurses Association submitted written testimony last week to the state’s Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force, and said improving working conditions for nurses can reduce overall health care costs.

A handful of states – including Minnesota and Massachusetts – have passed laws putting wage caps on how much staffing agencies can pay nurses. But in Indiana, lawmakers haven’t discussed any solutions.

Some nursing homes still must meet COVID vaccine guidelines or face fines. Recovery experts are concerned how the pandemic affected the rise in alcohol consumption. And the IU women’s basketball team is hosting NCAA Tournament games.

Dozens of Indiana nursing homes could soon be cited as non-compliant with the federal government’s vaccine mandate.

AARP estimates more than one out of every five Indiana nursing homes has a staffing shortage.

Even before COVID-19 bared the truth of a profit-driven industry with too few caring for society’s most vulnerable, thin staffing was a hallmark of nursing homes around the country.

Despite forming an essential and compassionate caregiver program, the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has deferred much of the oversight and management to facilities themselves.

Join us this week as we talk about how COVID-19 has affected the way advocates and caregivers provide services and interact with residents.