Which federal agency oversees skilled nursing facilities?

The correct answer is CMS, which stands for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This agency is responsible for overseeing skilled nursing facilities in the United States, ensuring that these facilities meet specific standards of care and operate in compliance with federal regulations. CMS administers the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide funding and establish guidelines for skilled nursing facilities, making it essential in maintaining the quality of care for residents.

The role of CMS includes conducting inspections and surveys to monitor compliance, as well as implementing policies and programs that impact the operations of skilled nursing facilities. This oversight ensures that facilities provide a safe, effective, and resident-centered environment.

Other agencies mentioned, such as the FDA, the CDC, and the NIH, have important roles in public health, research, and safety regulations but do not directly oversee the operations or standards of skilled nursing facilities. The FDA focuses on food and drug safety, the CDC deals with disease control and prevention, and the NIH is primarily concerned with biomedical research. Therefore, their mandates do not specifically include the regulation of skilled nursing facilities like CMS does.