Which federal agency oversees skilled nursing facilities?

• A. FDA
• B. NIH
• C. CMS
• D. CDC

Answer: (C)

The task is about who regulates skilled nursing facilities in the United States. The federal agency responsible is the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS administers Medicare and Medicaid and sets the conditions of participation that facilities must meet to participate in those programs and receive funding. Through state survey agencies, CMS conducts inspections, investigates complaints, and can impose sanctions if a facility doesn’t meet the required standards. This oversight covers resident safety, quality of care, rights, and staffing, ensuring facilities operate under consistent federal requirements. The other agencies have different roles: the FDA handles foods, drugs, and medical devices; the NIH focuses on biomedical research; and the CDC oversees public health and disease prevention, not the licensing and regulation of skilled nursing facilities.