Here is an article on the National Rating System for Nursing Homes. It is with mixed feelings that I can report on the new CMS ratings system for nursing homes. Although I appreciate any effort to get more information to consumers, a nursing home’s performance and systemic issues which may plague it are very nuanced. I do not believe that a star rating system will provide enough valuable information and might serve to dumb-down the screening process for consumers. All residents (and their needs) are different. A nursing home that is weak in some areas may be strong in others. That being said, I am sure that a very poorly rated facility will be doubly motivated to improve its score. Time will tell how well the new system will work.