Central ND News

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer and Angus King have introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting veterans' access to long-term care amidst the implementation of new staffing standards proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Senator Cramer expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the proposed rule on veterans' long-term care services, stating, “Senator King and I are simply asking the VA to conduct a study to prove what we already know: this misguided proposal will negatively impact veterans access to long-term care services.” Senator King echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to examine the effects of the policy on veterans' day-to-day lives, saying, “While the CMS rule aims to improve the quality of long-term care for veterans by increasing staffing requirements, this one-size-fits-most policy could cause facilities in rural areas to shut down.”

The legislation introduced by Senators Cramer and King would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct a study to assess the risks associated with the CMS's proposed rule. The study would investigate the impact of the rule on veterans' access to LTC facilities, including state homes, community nursing homes, and Department-contracted facilities, as well as the Department's ability to meet veterans' long-term care needs.

The bill outlines specific requirements for the study, including analyzing the number of facilities that may not meet the minimum staffing threshold outlined by CMS and assessing the potential impact on veterans residing in these facilities. The report is expected to be submitted within 60 days of the bill's enactment.

In response to the proposed legislation, Senator King highlighted the importance of protecting access to long-term care options for veterans in Maine, stating, “This bill will allow us to take a closer look at the impact that the proposed CMS rule would have on VA and VA affiliated nursing homes so we can best protect access to long-term care options for veterans in Maine.”

The bipartisan effort by Senators Cramer and King seeks to address concerns about the potential consequences of the new staffing standards on veterans' long-term care services, particularly in rural areas already facing staffing shortages.