Bill Overview
Title: Nursing Home Pandemic Protection Act
Description: This bill establishes several requirements for skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and assisted living facilities to address the outbreak of COVID-19. Specifically, the bill requires these facilities to establish crisis plans and to maintain at least a 30-day supply of personal protective equipment to respond to the outbreak.
Sponsors: Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Target Audience
Population: Residents and staff of skilled nursing, nursing, and assisted living facilities globally
Estimated Size: 3000000
- Skilled nursing facilities house elderly individuals or individuals with disabilities needing constant care.
- Nursing facilities provide similar care, particularly for individuals who need 24-hour supervision or medical assistance.
- Assisted living facilities cater to older adults needing some assistance with daily activities but not as much medical care as nursing facilities provide.
- The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected these populations, prompting legislative action.
- Residents of these facilities are often among the most vulnerable during pandemics due to age and pre-existing health conditions.
- Facility staff and healthcare workers are also part of the impacted population since they are required to adhere to new requirements and are directly involved in care provision.
Reasoning
- The target population mostly includes the elderly and workers in nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities.
- This policy will have the most significant impact on residents, as they are directly reliant on the facilities' ability to handle crises.
- Facility staff will also experience changes due to new operational requirements, impacting their work experience and safety conditions.
- Those not residing or working in these facilities might experience little to no direct impact, although there could be societal benefits about preparedness in caregiving environments.
- Budget constraints will limit the scale and intensity of implementations, focusing primarily on essential requirements like PPE and basic crisis planning.
Simulated Interviews
Retired (Florida)
Age: 80 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about getting sick every flu season.
- Having more safety gear like masks would make me feel a bit more secure.
- It's good to know they'll have a plan for what to do if things get bad again.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Nursing Assistant (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was scared during the pandemic, there were shortages of everything.
- The additional equipment and planning will make it easier to do my job safely.
- I'm glad they'll be prepared instead of reacting at the last minute.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired Teacher (New York)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We had to stay confined during the pandemic, it was isolating.
- Feeling safer during uncertain times would make life more enjoyable.
- Knowing there's a plan helps alleviate some anxiety.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Registered Nurse (Texas)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's exhausting trying to improvise crisis management.
- We need structured guidelines and supplies.
- A mandated crisis plan represents improved readiness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired Mechanic (Ohio)
Age: 89 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The pandemic made me feel very vulnerable and scared.
- Having an official plan means we're being cared for properly.
- I value the effort to make us safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Facility Administrator (Oregon)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Managing resources during a crisis is challenging.
- Having a 30-day supply will ease stress during the next outbreak.
- Crisis planning is vital, and mandates help ensure compliance.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Dietary Cook (Michigan)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Supply disruptions meant we couldn't always provide consistent meals.
- Knowing that protective equipment is guaranteed helps everyone focus.
- Preparedness in crises improves the work environment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Janitor (Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about catching diseases while cleaning.
- The policy means an extra layer of safety for all staff.
- Knowing there are protocols makes the job easier.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Maintenance Worker (Pennsylvania)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- We struggled to keep up with maintenance during the pandemic.
- Stockpiling PPE means we're better set for future pandemics.
- A required crisis plan is a relief for planning efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Retired Librarian (New Jersey)
Age: 75 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I miss communal activities, but I'm scared of getting sick.
- More protection and planning could allow safer socializing.
- The policy might help us regain some normalcy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 2 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $520000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $620000000)
Year 3: $540000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $640000000)
Year 5: $580000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $690000000)
Year 10: $650000000 (Low: $500000000, High: $770000000)
Year 100: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring a sufficient PPE supply is crucial for the safety of high-risk populations and staff.
- Training and implementation of crisis plans require additional staff time and potential additional hires.
- The law mandates facilities to comply with ongoing monitoring and administrative tasks, which incurs costs beyond initial setup.
- State regulations and current facility preparedness levels can vary significantly, affecting overall costs.