HHS Rolls Back Biden-Era Nursing Home Staffing Rules

The Trump administration has rolled back nursing home staffing rules that required facilities to provide residents with a minimum of 3.5 hours of nursing care per day, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

Some Democrats say the administration’s move would weaken protections for older adults. (Photo: G. Edward Johnson Wiki)

The rule applied to nursing homes participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

“Safe, high-quality care is essential, but rigid, one-size-fits-all mandates fail patients,” Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement released with the announcement.

He added that the change followed concerns from tribal communities that they had not been properly consulted.

But some Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden, said the administration’s move would weaken protections for older adults. “Thanks to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress, seniors are going to be less safe in nursing homes,” Wyden said in a statement.