long-term care

The federal announcement that nursing homes relying on Medicaid and Medicare funding must require staff to get vaccinated will have a ripple effect through Florida.

Brian Lee with Families for Better Care says federal data on nursing home case rates lags and doesn't cover all of Florida's long-term care facilities. He says the state is failing seniors by not resuming daily reports.

High levels of community spread and low vaccination rates are putting many nursing homes in Florida at risk for COVID-19 outbreaks. Some facilities are taking extra precautions.

The 42 percent vaccination rate placed Florida second from last in the percentage as of June 20 and well behind the national average of 56 percent, according to an AARP study.

The HHS inspector general found two devastating spikes eight months apart in the most comprehensive look yet at COVID-19's toll among its most vulnerable victims.

Despite a hearts-and-minds campaign and millions spent in incentives, facilities struggle to get staffs vaccinated against COVID.

The state requires nursing facilities to report the number of residents and staff who have received at least one shot or no shot, but not those who have completed the recommended dosage.

A report shows more than 14% of nursing homes had new resident cases in the past four weeks. The national average is 10%. Part of the problem is only about 38% of facility workers have been vaccinated.

The state Agency for Health Care Administration website shows that only 17 nursing homes and eight assisted living facilities have not fully complied with the requirements.

Investors who own large shares of nursing home companies now are demanding that the operators improve staff working conditions and the quality of care.

Under a bill, Florida facilities would be allowed to operate apprenticeship programs and use participants’ on-the-job training to meet state minimum staffing requirements.

Federal records show a steep decline in staff cases since December, when health care workers at thousands of nursing homes began getting their shots. Still, many are reluctant to get vaccinated.