Bill changing Florida nursing home standards was written by the industry, emails show
The Republican sponsor says the bill is just a starting point.
TALLAHASSEE A bill to loosen staffing standards at Florida nursing homes was initially drafted with the help of one of the states most powerful long-term care lobbying interests.
Under the measure, Senate Bill 804, nursing homes that fail to meet state-mandated staff requirements would no longer be barred from admitting new residents.
It would also broaden which kinds of employees can be counted in these mandatory staffing minimums, which are intended to keep residents safe.
Proponents say such a bill is desperately needed to deal with a chronic and growing staffing shortage at long-term care facilities. But patient advocates fear the bill as written will lower the standard of care in nursing homes without increasing the amount of staff inside.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2022/02/04/bill-changing-florida-nursing-home-standards-was-written-by-the-industry-emails-show/
"It's just a starting point..."