The agency led by Dr. Mehmet Oz is proposing an end to weekly tracking of respiratory infections at nursing homes. These facilities saw thousands of elderly resident deaths during the pandemic.
The proposal targets mandates that required regular reporting of Covid-19 and other respiratory data. Officials argue the rules have become outdated as the public health emergency has ended.
Nursing homes currently submit weekly reports on infections, cases, and deaths to federal regulators. The data helped track outbreaks and allocate resources during the crisis.
Patient advocates warn that removing the requirements could reduce transparency. They say early detection of outbreaks depends on consistent reporting from facilities.
Industry groups have pushed for relief from what they call duplicative paperwork. Many providers say staff time is better spent on direct resident care.
Federal health officials will accept public comments before finalizing any changes. The process could take several months and may face legal challenges.
The proposal reflects a broader shift away from pandemic-era emergency measures. It remains unclear how states will monitor nursing home infections if federal rules are relaxed.
