Nursing homes could continue in-house certified nurse aide (CNA) training programs even if they face minor, non-care related penalties under a bill offered by U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-KS).
“This common-sense, bipartisan bill accounts for the current workforce challenges nursing homes face without compromising on a commitment to quality care for residents,” Rep. Estes said on Wednesday. “This bill ensures nursing homes continue to meet high standards without losing the staffing levels needed to provide high-quality care.”
Under current law, Medicare prevents nursing homes from operating a CNA training program for two years if a facility is fined a certain amount. In making the decision to prohibit the training program, Medicare does not account for the seriousness of the underlying deficiency or activity related to the fine.
For example, a nursing home could be fined for a deficiency unrelated to direct resident care, like having expired crackers in a food pantry, yet would still be prohibited from operating a CNA training program for two years.
While current law contains a waiver, it is seldom used and has proven inadequate, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Estes’ office.
The congressman on Jan. 15 sponsored the bipartisan Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act, H.R. 7096, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Josh Harder (D-CA), to allow nursing homes to continue operating their in-house CNA training program even if they incur fines above a certain amount, so long as the fines are issued for reasons unrelated to direct resident care.
“The Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act prevents an in-house CNA education program from facing suspension due to non-care related clerical violations,” said Rep. Estes. “That’s a common-sense solution to help keep CNA education programs operational and assist nursing homes across the country with staffing levels.”
The American Health Care Association has endorsed the measure, which is under consideration by both the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee and the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee.
“We should be doing everything we can to rebuild our workforce and make sure seniors get the consistent, high-quality care they deserve,” said Rep. Harder. “This bill will help grow the pipeline of caregivers. I’m grateful to Congressman Estes for his leadership on this issue.”