Caregivers push for national staffing requirements [Video]

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Nursing home staff were on Capitol Hill Wednesday, voicing support for new national staffing requirements for nursing homes proposed by the Biden administration.

“Give us what we need so that we are able to properly take care of these residents,” Lakeshie Jones, an SEIU Union worker said. 

Texas Democratic Congressman Lloyd Doggett says a lack of staff has hurt care for residents. He says nursing homes have the funds to fix the problem but haven’t done so. 

“Thousands of lives at stake as these nursing home chains consolidate and are viewed just as another place to exploit profit, not to increase the quality of care,” Rep. Doggett said. 

The rule requires nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medicaid have a registered nurse onsite 24/7. It also says they must provide residents with a minimum number of hours of care per day. 

“This rule would only make …