WASHINGTON, D.C. — Testing all residents and staff and skilled nursing facilities nationwide just once would cost $440 million, according to data compiled by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), based in Washington, D.C.
The organization notes that at that rate, the CDC’s recommendation of weekly testing would cost skilled nursing operators over $1 billion per month. The AHCA describes the costs as “unsustainable” without additional funding from federal and state governments, especially since it doesn’t account for other types of senior care.
“For months now, we have been advocating for expanded and priority testing in nursing homes to protect our residents and caregivers, but this is a significant undertaking and cost for nursing homes to shoulder on their own,” says Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the AHCA. “That’s why we have asked for a $10 billion emergency relief to help fund expedited testing and the additional staffing needed to respond to this unprecedented health crisis.”
Click here for a state-by-state breakdown of AHCA’s estimated testing costs.