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"Allowing trained feeding assistants will mean better care for residents, especially at meal times which can be the busiest times in nursing homes," Secretary Thompson said. "Trained feeding assistants will free nurses and nurse aides to focus on residents' other health care needs. The result will be that residents will receive better nutrition and care."

Under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposal, trained feeding assistants will help residents to eat and drink, especially at meal times. Individuals would be required to complete a state-approved course to qualify as trained assistants. Currently, nursing homes rely primarily on certified nurse aides (CNAs) or other health care professionals to assist residents with eating and drinking. Volunteers and family members also may assist with these tasks.

The proposed change would make it easier for nursing homes to recruit and hire enough CNAs and other appropriately trained workers to provide quality care in all areas of need.

"Feeding residents is often a slow process and competes with more complex tasks, such as bathing, toileting and dressing changes, as well as urgent medical care," CMS Administrator Tom Scully said.

The proposal is the latest step in the Bush administration's broader efforts to strengthen the quality of care provided to nursing home residents. In November 2001, Secretary Thompson and Administrator Scully launched a new quality initiative to help people who rely on Medicare and Medicaid programs, and their families, find the best nursing homes for their needs. Starting with a six-state pilot project, CMS will identify, collect, and publish meaningful nursing home quality information to help consumers compare and choose quality providers. The information will add to the comprehensive comparative nursing home information already available on "Nursing Home Compare," CMS' consumer Internet tool atwww.medicare.gov.

CMS will publish the proposed rule on feeding assistants in the March 29 Federal Register with a 60-day comment period. CMS will review all comments received and, if appropriate, make changes to the proposal before issuing a final rule.

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