A key health care workers union in New York is hopeful state lawmakers will be able to reach a final agreement for a package of nursing home measures by the end of his month. 

The Democratic-controlled Assembly on Tuesday approved additional measures meant to boost nursing home oversight and transparency. The state Senate, also led by Democrats, previously approved their own package of bills. 

“At joint Legislative hearings on the impact of COVID in nursing homes, 1199SEIU members spoke passionately in their testimony about the terrible challenges they and their residents faced," said Milly Silva, the union's executive vice president in its nursing home division.

"We are grateful that the New York State Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Heastie and Health Chair Gottfried, has heard their call and joined the State Senate in passing impactful reforms in response to those experiences. These include a requirement that nursing homes spend at least 70% of their overall revenue on resident care, including 40% on staffing, as well as one that will prevent owners with poor track records from purchasing additional homes. We look forward to working through the differences in language between the two houses and seeing a final reform package enacted this month.”

The measures come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo's administration is facing ongoing scrutiny over its handling of nursing homes during the pandemic, as well as the reporting of deaths of residents.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated so many of the issues and challenges that have long existed in our state, especially in our nursing homes,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. “Last week, my colleagues and I began the passage of these comprehensive reforms to increase the safety and protect the wellbeing of our most vulnerable New Yorkers. Today, we will build on that work. We owe it to our nursing home residents and their families to do better.”