A coalition of 20 states is reportedly challenging the Biden administration over a policy that mandates minimum staffing levels in nursing homes.
The coalition contends that the policy will lead to a widespread shutdown of senior care and nursing homes throughout the country.
The state’s Attorney General Brenna Bird (R) filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of Iowa on Tuesday, arguing that the rule should be vacated and that the administration should be perpetually prevented from enforcing it.
Kansas and South Carolina were added to Iowa’s list of main plaintiffs. Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia were the other states that signed on.
The complaint contends that the Biden administration exceeded the authority of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and circumvented Congress.
Earlier this year, it was announced that all nursing homes that receive federal funding through Medicare and Medicaid will be required to have a registered nurse on staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provide a minimum of 3.48 hours of nursing care per resident per day per mandate.
In spite of the nursing home industry’s extensive lobbying efforts and the opposition of bipartisan legislators, the policy was implemented.
These lawmakers contended that a federal standard was unfeasible due to the nationwide staffing shortage, which had been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
[READ MORE: Obama Tries to Take Credit For Trump Economy]
