Three states are considering new legislation to improve the condition of nursing homes and assisted living.
Iowa has proposed a state minimum wage for direct care workers in nursing homes. By July 2025, all nursing home direct care workers would have to be paid $15 an hour, and by mid-2030, the minimum wage would increase to $20 an hour.
Nebraska is considering two bills that would increase reimbursements for nursing homes and assisted living. The first would increase the daily rate to $79 for assisted living residents on the state's Medicaid Waiver program. The second would increase nursing home Medicaid reimbursement rates by about 5%.
South Dakota is considering a bill that would dedicate $5 million for long-term care operators to buy and install telemedicine infrastructure.
Wisconsin is considering two bills that would allow staff to help residents up after a fall instead of calling 911 and would create a statewide requirement for CPR training in assisted living facilities.