Governor Signs Law Enacting Additional Nursing Home Posting Requirements
(Oct. 1, 2024) On Fri., Sept. 27th, Governor Hochul signed into law a piece of legislation that had been passed by the Legislature earlier this year and was awaiting action. The new law introduces additional requirements for nursing homes to publicly display their most recent star ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures, as determined by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rating system. These posting requirements are enacted in addition to the existing mandate for facilities to post their overall CMS rating on organization websites and in facilities.
The new law takes effect on Dec. 26, 2024, 90 days after the bill’s signing. At that time, nursing homes will be required to publicly post the individual star ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures in the same manner the overall star ratings are currently posted.
LeadingAge NY opposed the bill, A.2188 (Dinowitz)/S.3498 (Sanders), both during the 2024 legislative session and as the bill awaited delivery to the Governor. We issued a memo of opposition to the Legislature on the bill, as well as a letter addressed to Governor Hochul. Unfortunately, the bill was signed despite our opposition and over 60 legislators voting against the bill.
Although the bill has now been signed and become law, the level of opposition by members of the Legislature was enough to attract the attention of media outlets such as The Capitol Pressroom’s David Lombardo. In an interview with Assembly Member Josh Jensen, Lombardo explored the legislation, the nursing home star rating system more broadly, and how consumers can find a quality nursing home to meet their needs.