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Healthcare Reform

Supreme Court to decide on whether to hear healthcare reform challenges

October 28, 2011

The U.S. Supreme Court has indicated that it will decide whether or not to hear challenges to the Affordable Care Act in a private conference on Nov. 10.

Staff stability and resident satisfaction are key goals for providers, quality guru says

September 29, 2011

Providers should be avidly trying to reduce rehospitalization rates as a measure of quality, according to an American Health Care Association executive.

Gingrich announces his presidential candidacy for 2012

May 11, 2011

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich (R-GA) announced Monday on Facebook and Twitter that he is running for president in 2012 as a Republican, challenging President Barack Obama. This makes him the most recognizable Republican to officially enter the race.

Congressional impasse could lead to government shutdown in less than two weeks

March 31, 2011

With Congressional Democrats and Republicans failing to reach an agreement on proposed federal funding cuts—including possible reductions to healthcare reform and entitlements—analysts are predicting a government shutdown by April 9 unless a deal is reached.

Report: Medicaid overspent on brand-name drugs

March 30, 2011

State Medicaid programs spent $329 million more than necessary by allowing certain prescriptions for brand-name drugs to be filled instead of generics in 2009, a conservative think tank said this week.

What's in a name? We're about to find out—maybe

January 21, 2011

Hope you have a pencil handy with your scorecard at home. One with a good eraser.

Obama reverses course on regulation allowing advance care planning

January 06, 2011

The Obama administration has opted to remove any mention of end-of-life care planning from a Medicare regulation that took effect at the beginning of the year, The New York Times reported.

Some healthcare reform provisions take effect

January 03, 2011

A number of key healthcare reform provisions affecting the long-term care industry began Jan. 1, right before the new session of Congress comes back to Washington, according to The Hill.

Healthcare reform helps those near retirement, the unemployed

December 15, 2010

Individuals aged 50-64—especially people in that age group experiencing long-term unemployment—stand to benefit the most from the healthcare reform law, according to a new study.

Federal judge rules reform law's insurance mandate unconstitutional

December 14, 2010

A Virginia federal judge Monday ruled that the "individual mandate" aspect of the healthcare reform law violates the Constitution. It is the first such ruling among trial courts.

The road to the RUG-IV-related repeal

Liza Berger December 10, 2010

Some good news—and just in time for the holidays. Nursing home providers can ring in 2011 knowing that residents will not be denied Medicare Part B outpatient therapy and the RUG-IV system won't change.

Lawmakers fail to repeal provision designed to help finance healthcare reform

December 01, 2010

The Senate failed to muster the votes Monday to repeal an unpopular tax reporting mandate that was passed to help finance the healthcare reform law.

Ohio judge permits healthcare reform suit to proceed to trial, follows similar action taken in Florida case

November 29, 2010

An Ohio federal judge recently allowed a lawsuit that challenges the insurance mandate of the healthcare reform law to proceed to trial.

Berwick's remarks offer insight into his healthcare worldview

Liza Berger November 19, 2010

Dr. Donald Berwick of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not have said enough to satisfy some members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, but he arguably presented some pretty defined views on healthcare.

Senate Finance Committee may question Berwick about healthcare reform

November 12, 2010

Donald Berwick, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, likely will field questions about healthcare reform when he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee next week.

McConnell to file amicus brief challenging healthcare reform

November 11, 2010

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said he plans to file an amicus brief, or friend-of-the-court brief, supporting the multistate lawsuit challenging the Obama administration's healthcare reform bill, Politico.com reported.

Supreme Court opts not to hear healthcare reform challenge

November 10, 2010

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined a request from a conservative California legal group to hear a challenge to the Obama administration's healthcare reform bill. The group took issue with the bill's mandate requiring all Americans to purchase health insurance.

GOP: We'll halt healthcare reform by stopping funding

November 09, 2010

Now that Republicans know they'll control the House starting in January, they've begun outlining plans for battling key provisions of President Obama's healthcare reform bill. Since they are still a minority in the Senate, making a full-scale repeal of the bill implausible, Republicans have opted to focus on funding aspects of the bill.

A new fight over healthcare reform

Liza Berger November 04, 2010

One of the highlights of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging conference came near the end—during a panel discussion about the impact of midterm elections on healthcare reform.

Nursing homes' new mission: Fitting into accountable care organizations

Anthony Cirillo November 03, 2010

To survive in the not-so-distant future, nursing homes will have to find a role within accountable care organizations.

Seniors' anger over health reform could affect outcome of midterm elections

October 27, 2010

Frustration over healthcare reform's Medicare cuts is driving seniors to vote and even campaign for politicians opposed to the Obama administration's Medicare cuts, according to news reports.

Sheehan warns doctors about new Medicaid overpayment policies

October 21, 2010

Healthcare reform law provisions pertaining to reporting and returning overpayments present a critical Medicaid challenge facing physicians next year, New York State Medicaid Inspector General Jim Sheehan said this week.

Florida judge allows lawsuit challenging healthcare reform to proceed

October 18, 2010

A Florida federal judge is permitting a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the healthcare reform law to proceed to trial.

IOM report: Nurses should have more independence, greater role in implementation of healthcare reform

October 06, 2010

The Institute of Medicine on Tuesday released a report calling for a larger role for nurses in the delivery of healthcare and in the implementation of healthcare reform.

Congress improves its writing skills

Liza Berger September 29, 2010

It sounds like a set-up for a punch line. The Senate this week passed the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Plain Writing Act? So what do we have now? Inscrutable, government-speak?

Provider input sought for reform-driven quality strategy

September 17, 2010

The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking input from nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare providers on a proposed National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan.

Judge suggests he will allow states to sue federal government over healthcare reform

September 16, 2010

A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the healthcare reform law is likely to advance. A federal judge in Florida this week said he would rule on the merits of the suit by Oct. 14.

CMS explains how to qualify for Medicaid IT administrative funding match

August 19, 2010

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Tuesday sent a letter to state Medicaid directors detailing the qualification terms for a 90% matching fund rate for administrative expenses that go toward information technology.

Democrats look to Medicare Part D checks to sway seniors by November

August 17, 2010

Many seniors are still wary of healthcare reform, but Democrats hope some of the new law's provisions will help win over reluctant elders, according to recent reports.

Medicare 'productivity adjustment' cuts are not likely to last, panelists say

August 10, 2010

Medicare cuts in the form of "productivity adjustments" may not be sustained beyond 10 years and may need to be reversed, a panel of healthcare experts said recently.