MA S839

Requires the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to annually adjust Medicaid rates for nursing homes using the federal Skilled Nursing Facility Market Basket Update inflation factor (42 C.F.R. § 413.337)

Mandates nursing homes maintain sufficient nursing staff with appropriate competencies to assure resident safety and achieve the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of residents

Staffing levels must be based on resident assessments, individual care plans, and facility assessments considering resident number, acuity, and diagnoses per federal requirements (42 CFR 483.70(e))

Requires Medicaid reimbursement rates to recognize the state's full share of actual nursing costs needed to meet staffing requirements