Medicare and Medicaid programs; nurse aide training and competency evaluation programs--HCFA. Final rule

This rule amends the Medicare and Medicaid regulations pertaining to facilities to incorporate Federal requirements that States have training and competency evaluation by Medicare participating skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid participating nursing facilities and also have a nurse aide registry. The purpose of these provisions is to ensure that nurse aides have the education, practical knowledge, and skills needed to care for residents of facilities participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. These requirements implement, in part, sections 4201(a) and 4211(a) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, section 6901(b) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989, and sections 4008 and 4801 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990.