State of Kansas et al. v. Kennedy et al.

Why this Matters:

The plaintiffs allege that a federal regulation imposing minimum staffing requirements for nursing homes violates the Administrative Procedure Act. Low staffing levels in nursing homes have been linked to poor quality care, patient safety violations, and other problems such as higher rates of antipsychotic use. This appeal addresses whether the district court properly assessed the plaintiffs’ alleged irreparable harm in deciding not to issue a preliminary injunction against the rule’s requirements.

Potential Impact:

The inability for federal agencies to address minimum staffing requirements in nursing homes could increase the risk of residents receiving unsafe and low-quality care within such facilities.