Florida lawmakers introduce bill to address staffing shortages in nursing homes

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are moving forward with bills to address staffing shortages in nursing homes.

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Others are pushing back, saying the plan will only make matters worse by lowering standards.

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Florida AARP Director Jeff Johnson says the state’s nursing homes are facing a crisis.

“Florida nursing homes had challenges with staffing, and challenges providing quality care,” Johnson said. “The pandemic just showed a big spotlight on those needs and those problems.”

State lawmakers are considering new legislation to address staffing concerns in nursing homes.

Bills filed in the Florida House and Senate would cut the time certified nursing assistants are required to spend caring for residents from 2.5 hours daily to just 2.

Johnson said the move only serves to loosen staffing standards in nursing homes.

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“We think that’s the wrong approach, because it puts the health and welfare of the residents in nursing homes at risk,” Johnson said. “They’re asking the legislature to lower the standards of what counts as quality care, so they can get by with what they have.”

WFTV reporter Christy Turner took Johnson’s concerns to Senator Ben Albrittion (R-Bartow), who sponsored the bill.

The bill “maintains the staffing requirements to ensure that Floridians have access to the level of care they deserve,” Albritton said in a statement. “Doing nothing will only harm, not help, our seniors.”

Johnson argues the bill doesn’t address the bigger issue: nursing assistants feeling burned out, and underpaid.

“Ultimately what we need to do is find ways to attract new people into that CNA role, while continuing to really help those who are in that role find that this is a meaningful career,” Johnson said. “It’s certainly a critical one.”

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Both bills still have to go through committees before they go to the floor for a final vote.

The AARP is asking anyone opposed to the bill to call their legislator and voice their concerns.

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