Hospitalizations for osteoarthritis more than doubled from 1993 to 2006, according to an analysis by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Excessive daytime sleeping among seniors undergoing rehabilitation treatment actually hinders their recovery--even up to three months after discharge--according to new research.

Authors from several healthcare organizations have developed a code to protect the rights of foreign-educated nurses, including those who work in long-term care.

Last week's decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to halt its planned $770 million cuts in Medicare Part A payments to nursing homes for fiscal year 2009 drew loud praise from the long-term care sector.

Reversing earlier plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not trim $770 million in Medicare Part A payments to nursing homes in the next fiscal year. This development comes as welcome news to long-term care providers, who had rallied against the planned cuts.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday told the long-term care community it will not extend the therapy caps exceptions process, which expired Monday. As a result, many residents now will be subject to financial caps on Part B outpatient therapy.

Medicare therapy caps for Part B therapy are scheduled to take full effect again on Tuesday after the Senate failed to pass a crucial Medicare bill before it recessed for the Fourth of July holiday late last week.

Suspense has been building around passage of a critical Medicare bill and whether the Senate can take such action before the July 4th recess.

In a vote that surprised many veteran observers, the House overwhelmingly passed Medicare relief legislation Tuesday by a veto-proof vote of 355-59. Political leaders had expected a vote closer to a 50-50 split, or closer to party lines.

MedPAC's recent recommendations to revise the payment system for skilled nursing facilities drew praise Monday from the head of the largest nonprofit association for long-term care providers.