Wyoming nursing facilities warn of crisis as CON repeal threatens care quality and costs
January 22, 2025 | Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming
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The Senate Labor, Health & Social Services Committee meeting on January 22, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding the potential repeal of the Certificate of Need (CON) law in Wyoming. Stakeholders from the skilled nursing industry expressed that such a repeal could have detrimental effects on the quality of care and operational costs for facilities across the state.
A key point raised during the meeting was that approximately 33% of skilled nursing facilities in Wyoming rely on agency or temporary workers. These staff members often lack loyalty to the centers and the communities they serve, which can lead to a decline in care quality. The testimony indicated that the use of temporary staff incurs a markup of about 40%, further straining the financial resources of these facilities.
Participants in the meeting emphasized that many centers are already reallocating resources to manage the current labor shortage. The repeal of the CON law could exacerbate these challenges, leading to unnecessary expansion costs and price inflation. Testimonies underscored the potential grave impact on the sustainability of existing skilled nursing centers, which are vital to the care of frail individuals in rural areas.
The discussions at the meeting underscored the importance of maintaining the CON law to ensure the stability and quality of skilled nursing care in Wyoming. As the committee continues to evaluate the implications of the proposed legislation, stakeholders remain concerned about the future of healthcare services in the state.
A key point raised during the meeting was that approximately 33% of skilled nursing facilities in Wyoming rely on agency or temporary workers. These staff members often lack loyalty to the centers and the communities they serve, which can lead to a decline in care quality. The testimony indicated that the use of temporary staff incurs a markup of about 40%, further straining the financial resources of these facilities.
Participants in the meeting emphasized that many centers are already reallocating resources to manage the current labor shortage. The repeal of the CON law could exacerbate these challenges, leading to unnecessary expansion costs and price inflation. Testimonies underscored the potential grave impact on the sustainability of existing skilled nursing centers, which are vital to the care of frail individuals in rural areas.
The discussions at the meeting underscored the importance of maintaining the CON law to ensure the stability and quality of skilled nursing care in Wyoming. As the committee continues to evaluate the implications of the proposed legislation, stakeholders remain concerned about the future of healthcare services in the state.
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