As we approach the end of the 2024 Interim Session, key discussions continue to shape the direction of the 2025 legislative session.
During the most recent Interim Joint Committee on Health Services meeting, which I had the honor of chairing, we addressed some of the most pressing issues in healthcare, particularly focused on long-term care facilities and physician shortages.
Minimum Staffing Requirements for Long-Term Care Facilities
One critical topic of discussion was the federal minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities, presented by Lisa Biddle-Puffer, Vice President of Quality and Regulatory Affairs, and Jeremy Bischoff, Vice President of Reimbursement at the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities.
These new federal mandates require facilities to provide 3.48 hours of nursing care per resident per day and ensure a registered nurse is on-site 24/7. While these regulations aim to improve care, they pose significant challenges for Kentucky’s facilities, especially in rural areas. Currently, 82% of the state’s nursing homes do not meet these requirements, and the cost to comply is projected to be $79.5 million, with no clear funding source available.
Staffing shortages, worsened by the pandemic, remain a substantial issue, as only 3% of Kentucky’s registered nurses are employed in long-term care facilities. These mandates further strain facilities that are already struggling to recruit and retain staff.
As a former rural hospital CEO, I understand the critical need for quality care, but we must also address the real-world constraints on our workforce if we want these facilities to succeed. Finding a balanced approach to ensure compliance without jeopardizing facility operations will be a key focus moving forward.
Addressing Kentucky’s Physician Shortage and the Role of Physician Assistants
We also heard testimony from Jonathan Wolfson, Chief Legal Officer and Policy Director of the Cicero Institute, who discussed Kentucky’s growing physician shortage. By 2030, the state is projected to have nearly 3,000 fewer doctors, with severe deficits in primary care and mental health services.
To help address this issue, House Bill 574 was introduced to create a provisional licensing pathway for internationally-licensed physicians, allowing them to practice in Kentucky under certain conditions. This effort is essential to improving healthcare access in underserved areas.
Additionally, we heard from Physician Assistants (PAs) who stressed the importance of building stronger collaborative relationships with physicians. Highlights from their testimony included the need to reduce the bureaucratic licensing barriers for PAs seeking to practice in Kentucky. These changes would not only enhance the role of PAs in healthcare but also help address workforce shortages across the state, particularly in rural areas.
Thank you for allowing me the privilege of representing you in Frankfort. Your feedback is important to me. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments at Stephen.Meredith@kylegislature.gov. Together, we can continue to improve healthcare and address the critical issues facing our communities.
Sen. Steve Meredith, R-Leitchfield
