Mobile Version SearchEldercare Subscribe Newsletters Contact Us About Us Advertise Magazine Jobs Reprints Video Ads

RSS | Login | Register

Affordable Care Act

Conservatives cast doubt on cost effectiveness of healthcare reform

McKnight's Staff May 21, 2012

Conservative healthcare analysts warned a House committee that several provisions of the Affordable Care Act could cause further industry consolidation and weaken Medicare.

Measuring performance, coordinating care both crucial to lowering costs among the chronically ill, report says

McKnight's Staff April 30, 2012

The federal government should take advantage of Affordable Care Act funds to improve the coordination and quality of care for the chronically ill, a new report recommends.

Extreme disruption of Medicare funding forecast if Affordable Care Act is tossed out

McKnight's Staff April 25, 2012

Healthcare experts on both sides of the political spectrum are warning that the Medicare program could unravel if the Supreme Court deems the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional. Nursing homes, and others might not get paid, at least one expert says.

Reports forecast Medicare funding boost, dim overall outlook

McKnight's Staff April 23, 2012

The Affordable Care Act will help Medicare save over $200 billion through 2016, according to government actuaries. But questions as to Medicare's long-term solvency remain, another report from Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees states.

And you thought long-term care operators lived in silos?

John O'Connor April 20, 2012

Our Founding Fathers were wise to separate our government's executive, legislative and judicial branches. As we've seen all too often, concentrated power leads to disastrous results.

In limbo with underwhelming pay proposal

James M. Berklan April 18, 2012

First, it was the U.S. Supreme Court's turn to leave providers in suspense. Now, it's a group of decision-makers without robes who have operators holding their breath.

Analysts disagree whether death of healthcare reform could mean recoupment of provider funding

McKnight's Staff April 13, 2012

Healthcare analysts are proposing that Medicare providers, including nursing homes, could recoup millions of dollars if the Supreme Court strikes down the Affordable Care Act.

Doubling down on a Supreme Court thumping

John O'Connor April 06, 2012

When I recently predicted the new healthcare law's repeal, plenty of people disagreed. One of these unfortunates is Elizabeth Newman, a colleague and confidant here at McKnight's, who has one critical flaw in her argument.

Why the Supreme Court will vote in favor of the Affordable Care Act

Elizabeth Newman April 03, 2012

You may not like — nay, hate — the Affordable Care Act. The U.S. Supreme Court may agree with you. That doesn't mean the justices will strike it down.

The real reason why the Supreme Court will trounce Obamacare

John O'Connor March 30, 2012

I'm not sure why so much hand wringing is taking place over the Supreme Court's future decision about Obamacare. For as they like to say in Chicago, the fix is in.

Supreme Court takes on the legality of Medicaid expansion while states grapple over funding

McKnight's Staff March 29, 2012

As state officials negotiate their fiscal 2013 budgets, more than half are grappling with billions in shortfalls that put Medicaid funds at risk, according to a new report.

Supreme Court tackles Medicaid expansion today

McKnight's Staff March 28, 2012

The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments today over whether the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid is constitutional.

Giving an ear to healthcare reform debate

Gary Tetz March 28, 2012

Did you know you can download audio recordings of all oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court of the United States? I didn't, and I haven't been this excited since stumbling across all those illegal Dylan concert bootlegs on Napster.

Survey: Providers say electronic health records improve care, but culture of paper is embedded

McKnight's Staff March 26, 2012

The majority of healthcare professionals believe that electronic health records improve patient care, but most are still using paper records, a new survey says.

ONE DAY UNTIL ONLINE EXPO; Medicaid policy in flux

McKnight's Staff March 20, 2012

The federal government is readying for the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but what that will mean for long-term care funding remains uncertain.

CMS clarifies Medicaid eligibility requirements under the Affordable Care Act

McKnight's Staff March 19, 2012

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a final rule clarifying eligibility and income standards for the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

House subcommittee passes repeal of Medicare payment board

McKnight's Staff March 01, 2012

As expected, a House subcommittee voted Wednesday to repeal the Affordable Care Act's Medicare payment advisory board in a 17-5 bipartisan vote.

Twelve state attorneys general file brief in support the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion

February 21, 2012

The attorneys general of 12 states, plus one governor, filed an amicus brief last week with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Affordable Care Act's expansion of Medicaid.

Most states are not planning more Medicaid cuts in FY 2012

February 13, 2012

Most states do not foresee major mid-year cuts in Medicaid for fiscal year 2012, according to a Kaiser Health survey. While states authorized spending growth at a modest overall average of 2.2%, many states increased provider taxes and expanded managed care programs, according to the report.

Federal Medicaid matching rate to decline in 2014

February 06, 2012

About 30 states can expect a drop in federal matching rates for Medicaid in fiscal year 2014, with only a handful seeing an increase, according to a new report.

Affordable Care Act provides help for nursing homes, brief says

January 31, 2012

The Affordable Care Act benefits nursing homes and other residential care facilities, according to an amicus curiae brief filed in the Supreme Court by six aging groups.

Report: Correcting Medicare Advantage overpayments could save billions

January 27, 2012

Correcting overpayments in the Medicare Advantage program could save the federal government billions of dollars, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Report: Correcting Medicare Advantage overpayments could save billions

January 27, 2012

Correcting overpayments in the Medicare Advantage program could save the federal government billions of dollars, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Report: HHS has missed critical quality measure development deadlines

January 19, 2012

The Department of Health and Human Services is in danger of missing critical deadlines in developing the quality measures used to evaluate the Affordable Care Act's cost-savings initiatives, a government report revealed.

CLASS Act remains safe from repeal for rest of the year

December 14, 2011

Advocates for the CLASS Act can take some comfort in knowing that efforts for full repeal of the program are at a dead end, at least for the rest of this year.

GOP bill would extend Medicare therapy caps exceptions process, delay physician pay cut for two years

December 09, 2011

House Republicans introduced legislation Friday that would extend the outpatient therapy caps exception process. Without Congressional action, the caps would go back into full effect Jan. 1. The proposed legislation also would postpone huge Medicare doctor pay cuts by two years through a package that would scuttle parts of the healthcare reform law.

Penalties needed for nursing homes with high rehospitalization rates, group says

November 17, 2011

According to The Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care, the ACA tackles the issue of costly hospital readmissions by focusing on hospitals, but ignores skilled nursing facilities. The Alliance has therefore proposed an interim solution based on proposals the Obama administration has offered the "super committee."

Obama administration offers up $1 billion for hiring and training healthcare workers

November 15, 2011

The Obama administration announced Monday the availability of $1 billion in grants for innovative healthcare organizations and projects that can train and hire workers quickly.

Accountable care organizations hold many opportunities for nurses to shine, associations say

November 10, 2011

Nurses have numerous reasons to be pleased the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated accountable care organization guidelines, several nursing organizations maintain.

LTC groups react to final ACO rule

October 21, 2011

Federal regulators have boosted incentives for becoming part of an accountable care organization, drawing a more positive response from long-term care providers.