WASHINGTON, Sept. 14, 2023 – IAM Healthcare, the voice of more than 10,000 health professionals within the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), applauded the Biden–Harris administration’s recent announcement of a new proposed rule to establish minimum staffing levels in nursing homes. In announcing their support, IAM Healthcare leaders urged that the proposal continue to be strengthened as it moves through the rulemaking process.
The proposed rule would require nursing homes to provide a minimum of 0.55 hours of care from a Registered Nurse (RN) per resident per day, as well as 2.45 hours of care from a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) per resident per day. It would also require nursing homes to have at least one RN on duty at all times. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the proposed rule is expected to increase staffing in 75% of the nation’s nursing homes. Currently there is no national minimum staffing requirement for nursing homes.
“This is a long-overdue step to improve the quality of care for our nation’s most vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities,” said IAM Healthcare Director Shane Brinton. “Too many nursing home residents suffer because corporations refuse to invest in safe staffing. This proposed rule has real potential to improve resident safety and quality of care. Now we need to make sure the final rule is strong enough to protect residents and that it’s actually implemented. We will be working with the administration and our legislative team to ensure that this happens.”
IAM Healthcare members work at skilled nursing facilities throughout the U.S., including Beechtree Center Rehabilitation & Nursing in New York, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home in Maryland, Bayside Village Nursing Home in Michigan, Marshfield Care Center in Wisconsin, Good Samaritan Society and Pennington Health Services in Minnesota, Cascadia Health based in Idaho, and Evergreen Washington Healthcare in Washington state. IAM Healthcare membership is also growing rapidly in Canada, where the IAM represents thousands of long-term care professionals in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home care programs.
The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries.