Tags: Gavin Newsom nursing home policy, California backup generator law, AB 2511 suspension, senior care safety, healthcare facility regulations, long-term care compliance
💡 Newsom Seeks to Halt 96-Hour Backup Power Law for Nursing Homes
California Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing to block a law set to take effect next year that would require nursing homes to maintain 96 hours of backup power, potentially saving the industry over $1 billion in infrastructure costs. The move is part of his revised state budget aimed at addressing a projected $12 billion deficit.
If successful, this will be the second delay granted to long-term care facilities regarding compliance with Assembly Bill 2511, a law originally signed by Newsom himself in 2022.
🏥 Current Power Requirements and the Push for Extension
Under existing California law, skilled nursing facilities must have six hours of backup power to run essential medical equipment, heating, and cooling during outages. AB 2511 expands that to 96 hours beginning next year—a change that would apply to nearly 1,200 nursing homes statewide.
As of now, only 34 facilities meet this extended requirement, with many operators claiming that the necessary upgrades would cost between $1 million and $3.2 million per facility, depending on structural limitations and equipment needs.
⚠️ Safety vs. Spending: The Ongoing Debate
Critics argue that halting the rule jeopardizes resident safety. Backup power is essential for operating ventilators, feeding pumps, IV systems, and medication dispensers during emergencies like wildfires or power shutoffs.
Advocates for elder care point to past disasters, such as multi-day power outages in 2019 affecting over 100 nursing homes, to emphasize the need for stronger preparedness.
“Abandoning this rule puts vulnerable seniors at serious risk,” said patient safety advocates, referencing the devastating impact of extreme heat, power failures, and medication spoilage on elderly residents.
🔧 Industry Pushback: Costs and Construction Challenges
Representatives from the nursing home industry argue that implementing AB 2511 would require massive electrical and HVAC system overhauls, often needing structural changes, state permitting, and overcoming supply chain delays.
Some urban nursing homes were not designed with space for generators of this magnitude. “Installing equipment comparable in size to a semi-truck is just not feasible in some buildings,” said a representative from the California Association of Health Facilities.
Facilities continue to request state funding support for the transition, claiming the law is unaffordable without financial assistance.
🗳️ Political and Legislative Uncertainty
Newsom’s decision comes as he is widely speculated to be considering a 2028 presidential run, raising questions about the influence of powerful lobby groups. Critics say the nursing home industry has historically lobbied successfully by portraying itself as under financial pressure, despite profit margins that may be underreported.
Lawmakers are divided. Assembly member Jacqui Irwin, who authored the 96-hour law, criticized the proposed suspension, calling it a “bureaucratic veto” and a retreat from climate resilience and public health commitments.
At the same time, the state senate is moving forward with separate legislation requiring 72 hours of backup power for larger assisted living facilities, highlighting ongoing concerns about emergency preparedness across California’s elder care system.
As lawmakers weigh the budget and public safety, the future of backup power standards in California’s nursing homes remains uncertain—but the debate signals a deeper struggle between fiscal priorities and resident protection in the face of climate-driven emergencies.
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