The Pennsylvania Department of Health today provided an update on the third package of proposed skilled nursing facility regulations that includes updates to align with federal regulations and expands the information that applicants for licensure must provide to operate a new facility or take ownership of an existing facility. This package of proposed regulations was published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on March 19. At that time, a 30-day public comment period started.
“Giving the department the tools to ensure potential owners of skilled nursing facilities are thoroughly vetted should help provide some peace of mind to residents and their families,” said Acting Secretary of Health Keara Klinepeter. “Publishing the proposed regulation updates in a series of separate, smaller packages allows each section the opportunity for appropriate feedback during the public comment period.”
The department encourages all interested stakeholders, including industry groups, resident advocates and the general public to read and comment on the proposed regulations within this time period. The regulations are published both on the Pennsylvania Bulletin website and the IRRC website and comments may be submitted to the Department of Health via email: RA-DHLTCRegs@pa.gov.
Regulations of Pennsylvania’s 685 skilled nursing facilities, where more than 72,000 people live, have not been updated in nearly 25 years.
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