Attorney General Jeff Jackson Calls for Stronger Federal Staffing Standards at Senior Health Care Facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 5, 2026
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RALEIGH - Attorney General Jeff Jackson and a coalition of 18 attorneys general are calling on the federal government to reinstate critical staffing standards and protections designed to keep senior citizens safe in long-term health care facilities.

The coalition is urging a return to the protections established under the previous Nursing Home Reform initiative. Those regulations set minimum staffing standards for nursing hours per resident per day, required every facility to have registered nurses on-site 24/7, and established minimum hours for certified nurse assistants.

These protections were designed to improve the quality of care, prevent adverse health outcomes, and save the federal government up to $465 million in Medicare costs by reducing medical emergencies and hospitalizations. However, One Big Beautiful Bill Act recently overturned those regulations.

"Placing a loved one in a nursing home is an act of profound trust," said Attorney General Jeff Jackson. "By removing staffing standards, we violate that trust and leave seniors vulnerable to neglect. We need federal rules to ensure that when a resident rings for help, there is actually a nurse available to answer."

In a comment letter sent to DHHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz, the attorneys general request the enactment of replacement protections. These measures are essential to ensure minimum staffing levels, prevent Medicaid and Medicare fraud, and guarantee that nursing home residents receive the care necessary to stay healthy.

Joining Attorney General Jackson in filing this letter are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.

A copy of the letter is available here.

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