NYSHFA Weekly Brief – 4.30.26
It’s been said that we make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
I witnessed this adage firsthand when I had the recent pleasure of meeting with several of Infinite Care Consulting Services’ senior front-line staff engaged in their CNA and LPN Preceptor Program.
As we went around the table, I was impressed to learn that all in attendance had been providing care in nursing homes for well over 10 years, with many working beyond 20 – and even 30 years – of service. As we all talked, it was clear that these individuals defined their lives in large part by not only providing daily essential care to their residents, but also in passing on their joy, knowledge and experience to up and coming front line staff throughout Infinite Care’s skilled nursing facilities. I am grateful that our member nursing homes have dedicated individuals such as these, and it is essential to recognize their skills and passion!
Staffing continues to be a challenge in New York’s nursing homes, and one tool providers must leverage to combat this challenge is the ability to conduct in-house Nurse Aide Training Programs. However, under current regulations, a nursing home receiving a certain level of CMP fines automatically loses its Nurse Aide Training Program for a period of two years. Even if in a subsequent survey the nursing homes were in full compliance, the ban stays in place. AHCA President & CEO Clif Porter recently addressed the NYSHFA Board and stated that ending bans on in-house CNA training programs was a priority for AHCA in its “The Better Way” regulatory policy agenda. Clif is optimistic that the end of this ban is on the horizon.
On the legislative front, NYSHFA continues to advocate for legislation (A.600 (Hevesi) / S.8286 (Addabbo)) amending the State’s 3.5-hour staffing law to include PTs, OTs, respiratory therapists, and recreational therapists in the overall staffing calculation. As it stands now, New York’s staffing mandate severely undercounts resident care. Enactment of this legislation would provide a true picture of the patient-facing direct care residents receive on a regular basis.
As always, NYSHFA will continue to advance commonsense solutions for staffing, reimbursement, and the enhancement of quality long-term care throughout New York.
Stephen B. Hanse, Esq.
President & CEO
