New federal staffing mandates pose challenges for Maine nursing homes [Video]

As many as two-thirds of Maine’s 200-plus nursing homes will have to hire workers to comply with new staffing mandates announced this week by the Biden administration, according to the state’s top health care lobbying group.

And many already are dealing with unprecedented staffing shortages that predate the pandemic and have only worsened since.

“This staffing mandate is unrealistic in light of the historic and deepening caregiver shortage and more nursing homes are at risk of downsizing or having to close,” said Angela Westhoff, president and CEO of the Maine Health Care Association. “Maine has already lost 25 nursing homes since 2014. Further, this is an unfunded mandate.”

Others, however, say the mandate is a good step because staffing is the single-most important issue for providers.

“It’s directly related to quality of care and quality of life for residents, but also to the workers who are providing care,” said Brenda Gallant, executive director of the nonprofit Maine Long-Term Care Program. …