On May 21, 2018, President & CEO James W. McCracken testified before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee opposing Senate Bill S-1612, a bill that mandates certified nursing assistant (CNA) staffing ratios in nursing homes.  LeadingAge NJ Board Chair and Administrator at the Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center, Toni Lynn Davis, joined McCracken and also testified opposing the bill, as written.

“CNAs are the front-line workers that provide the hands-on personal care, supervision, emotional support to our residents.  I want to state unequivocally that our CNAs are one of the most important members of our health care teams,” said Davis.  “I have experienced significant difficulty attracting, recruiting and hiring CNAs.  One solution to consider is reciprocity for CNAs and I believe reciprocity is a practical and systematic approach to overcoming the workforce shortage challenges.”

The bill was released from committee with amendments to exclude pediatric long-term care facilities from these staffing requirements.