nursing homes

Despite state and federal attempts to offer vaccinations at all nursing homes and assisted-living centers in the state, 62% of staffers have declined.

A federal push to reach both residents and staff at long-term care facilities is winding down, leaving many workers who care for the elderly and vulnerable unvaccinated.

Similar to the Senate proposal, the House health care plan recommends reducing Medicaid payments for inpatient and outpatient hospital care by $288 million.

The state has told the nursing home industry to abide by recently issued federal guidelines that allow visitors to touch fully vaccinated residents.

Under a bill, Florida facilities would be allowed to operate apprenticeship programs and use participants’ on-the-job training to meet state minimum staffing requirements.

The guidelines will only make slight changes to Florida’s visitation procedures. Among them: the ability for residents to touch and hug their loved ones.

Federal records show a steep decline in staff cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services now recommends that visitors and residents, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, be allowed to meet in person under most circumstances.

Two bills being considered by Florida lawmakers would make it harder for people to sue health care providers in COVID-related cases. Opponents say nursing homes should be held accountable.

The bipartisan committee vote was a first step in delivering on the Republican-led Legislature’s priority of shielding nursing homes, hospitals and physicians from COVID-19 lawsuits.