Most states have nursing home inspection backlogs largely because federal oversight funding has stalled. State inspectors are on the frontline of protecting the quality of care for and the rights of more than 1 million Americans who live in nursing homes, either because of aging, illness or disability, or who have short-term stays for rehabilitation. The report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging found 31 states and the District of Columbia had inspection staff vacancy rates above 20% on average; nine were short staffed by half or more. The highest rates were in Kentucky (83%), Alabama (80%) and Idaho (71%).
