Marcella Shackford | Support HB1179

To whom it may concern, I am writing to urge you to support HB 1179, which establishes mandatory nursing standards for residents in nursing homes. This legislation is critically important to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents receive care that truly meets their needs. My father currently lives in a nursing home in Carroll County following a debilitating stroke. He is no longer able to speak or walk and is completely dependent on nursing staff for his daily care, comfort, and safety. When nursing homes are understaffed, residents like my father are the most affected because they cannot advocate for themselves or communicate when their needs are not being met. Carroll County is a low-income county, and many residents living in nursing homes rely on Medicaid-funded facilities. These residents and their families depend on the state to ensure that adequate nursing care is available. Without mandatory staffing requirements, shortages in nursing staff disproportionately harm low-income residents who already face limited options for care. Adequate nursing staffing is not optional—it is essential to protect residents’ health, dignity, and quality of life. Mandatory nurse-to-resident standards would help ensure that residents receive timely assistance with basic needs, medical care, hygiene, and safety, regardless of their income or ability to advocate for themselves. HB 1179 is a necessary step to protect nursing home residents across New Hampshire and to support the nurses and caregivers who work hard under challenging conditions. I respectfully urge you to support this bill and help ensure that all nursing home residents receive the care they deserve and that the nursing staff are safely able to provide that care without being understaffed. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Marcella Shackford