57 percent of state’s SNFs report empty beds due to lack of staff
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Mar 02, 2023
Fifty-seven percent of skilled nursing providers in Pennsylvania have empty beds, not because of lack of demand but because they don’t have enough staff members to care for residents and patients. That’s...
Florida long-term care associations sue state over minimum wage mandate
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Sep 30, 2022
Florida long-term care associations and one provider are challenging a requirement that, starting Oct. 1, providers in the state serving Medicaid beneficiaries — including assisted living communities...
The secret to becoming a master home care agency? Rely less on private pay, recruit well, expert says
By
Diane Eastabrook
Oct 05, 2021
Diversified payer streams, low turnover, better training and top-notch recruitment are what separate the so-called men from the boys in the home care industry.
ME LTC workers see expected pay increases as minimum wages increase across country
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Jan 04, 2022
Direct care workers in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities in Maine are expected to see wage increases to at least 125% of the state’s minimum wage after Gov. Janet Mills (D) announced last...
Senators, caregivers demand Congress support HCBS funding
By
Diane Eastabrook
Jun 18, 2021
In the politically divided U.S. Capitol Thursday, senators on both sides of the aisle called for support of home-and-community-based services (HCBS) benefiting seniors and those suffering from cognitive...
Retirement savings, future of government programs worry women: survey
By
Kathleen Steele Gaivin
Apr 18, 2024
Women aged 25 and older are concerned about whether they will be able to afford future health costs and retirement, according to the results of a survey by the National Council on Aging and Women’s Institute...
$1.2 billion healthcare worker bonus program targets employee retention
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Sep 08, 2022
After announcing a $1.2 billion healthcare worker bonus program in early August, New York state has updated its program guidance and extended the grace period for submitting claims during the first vesting...
Lawmakers to press Biden to increase funding for HCBS as part of larger system reform
By
Diane Eastabrook
Mar 25, 2021
Some Democratic lawmakers are holding President Joseph Biden’s feet to the fire, demanding he fulfill a campaign promise to direct $450 billion to home- and community-based services (HCBS). This funding...
Home healthcare faces Supreme Court labor decision, proposed CMS cuts
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jun 27, 2016
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge to a rule requiring home health agencies to pay workers minimum wage and overtime, and CMS proposed reducing Medicare payments to home health agencies...
Bipartisan legislation seeks to ensure nursing homes retain adequate staffing levels
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 22, 2021
U.S. Reps. Fred Keller (R-PA) and Susan Wild (D-PA) joined together Thursday to reintroduce the Nurses CARE Act for the 117th Congress. This bipartisan bill seeks to ensure that long-term care facilities...