HHS: Public health emergency likely to last rest of year
By
Lois A. Bowers
Jan 26, 2021
The federal public health emergency related to the coronavirus pandemic likely will extend through 2021, Acting Health and Human Services Secretary Norris Cochran said Friday in a letter to governors.
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...
Financial incentives, elimination of regulatory barriers may help expand availability of small-house...
By
Amy Novotney
Jan 11, 2021
Despite evidence that residents within one of the best-known alternative nursing home models, the Green House Project, have fared much better amid the COVID-19 pandemic than those in traditional skilled...
AHCA warns that two-thirds of nursing homes are operating at a loss
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 17, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is pushing many skilled nursing operators close to bankruptcy, according to a new survey by the American Health Care Association. The organization surveyed 953 nursing home operators...
Nursing home, home care workers rally support for Biden workforce plan
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 09, 2020
As President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office next month, nursing home and home care workers with the Service Employees International Union and National Domestic Workers Alliance met with their...
Experts stress need for wage increases to decrease shortages among long-term care staff
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 09, 2020
Increasing pay for direct care workers really can help long-term care operators combat staffing shortages, according to a blog post this week in Health Affairs. The article discussed how several states,...
Town’s only nursing facility converting to ALF, as national study finds ‘dangerously low’ occupancy...
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 03, 2020
Amid deteriorating finances that don’t allow for much-needed building infrastructure updates, the only skilled nursing facility in the town of Norton, MA, will be closing by early next year and will...
CMS finalizes 9% cut to physical and occupational therapy pay for SNF patients
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 03, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services formally announced Tuesday afternoon that it has finalized its calendar 2021 physician pay rule, which cuts physical and occupational therapy payments for nursing...
Feds’ financial incentives left nursing homes vulnerable to outbreaks: analysis
By
Amy Novotney
Dec 01, 2020
The nursing home business has long relied on federal support, mostly though the Medicare and Medicaid systems, but an analysis published Friday in the Washington Post explores how this reliance left many...
CMS may announce cuts to Medicare Part B therapy services soon: NASL executive director
By
Liza Berger
Nov 24, 2020
There may be more awaiting long-term care providers this week than meals of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may release its final rule regarding cuts...