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Leadership

California healthcare union struggle continues, SEIU accused of using anti-union tactics

June 25, 2009

The battle appears to be raging on over representation of California's healthcare workers. Recent reports indicate that as part of its strategy to win, the Service Employees International Union may be resorting to anti-organization tactics it once railed against.

House committees release healthcare reform plan outline

June 22, 2009

Chairmen of three House committees Friday released a draft outline of healthcare reform legislation as Democrats push to pass a bill by August.

Republicans hammer away at HELP plan, introduce reform measure

June 18, 2009

Republicans have offered their own version of healthcare reform as they continue to criticize legislation from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP).

Some believe Kennedy's absence from Washington may affect outcome of healthcare reform

June 11, 2009

While Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) is considered the architect of the Affordable Health Choices Act bill, he was not on Capitol Hill when the pivotal bill was introduced Tuesday. Some wonder if his notable absence--due to cancer--will slow down the healthcare reform process or change its final result.

Daschle still playing part in healthcare reform effort

May 22, 2009

Although he failed in his bid to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tom Daschle is by no measure out of the game. The former Senate Majority Leader is still taking an active and important role in the healthcare reform debate.

Pelosi: House to craft healthcare reform bill by July

May 14, 2009

The House of Representatives will have a healthcare reform bill to vote on by the end of July, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said Wednesday. She made the announcement alongside President Barack Obama and other leading Democratic representatives at the White House.

Obama's fiscal year 2010 budget to push for more oversight of Medicare, Medicaid

May 06, 2009

Details of President Obama's budget proposal for FY 2010 will be unveiled this Thursday, and early reports indicate there will be some new proposals for Medicare & Medicaid.

Political leaders offer various healthcare reform solutions

May 05, 2009

Over the weekend, five of the nation's leading voices on healthcare reform submitted essays to politico.com expressing their own opinions on the ongoing debate. And while their individual ideas may differ, they all agree the time is ripe for healthcare reform.

Sebelius named HHS secretary, faces swine flu challenge

April 29, 2009

The Senate late Tuesday confirmed Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The approval comes as the country grapples with a growing swine flu threat.

Senate Finance Committee approves Sebelius for top spot at HHS

April 22, 2009

By a 15-8 vote Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee confirmed the nomination of Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) for the role of secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The full Senate is expected to vote on her confirmation soon, though no date has been officially set.

Long-term care reform hearing focuses on dual eligibles, home-based services

March 05, 2009

Public and private sector officials convened Wednesday to discuss the important role long-term care reform could play in a grander, overall healthcare reform scheme.

Obama budget would cut $316 billion over 10 years from Medicare

February 26, 2009

President Obama's budget plan for fiscal year 2010, which he plans to release today, would trim $316 billion over 10 years from Medicare.

State Medicaid cuts enacting tolls on low-income people, including elderly

January 29, 2009

Even as Congress considers a stimulus package that would increase the federal medical assistance percentage by $87 billion, half of all states have either enacted or proposed significant reductions to Medicaid services, according to recent reports.

Obama, Congress hammer away at economic stimulus package

January 27, 2009

President Barack Obama and Congress have been making headway on a major economic stimulus package. They aim to pass it during the first 100 days of the new administration.

SEIU ensnared in political corruption case involving Gov. Blagojevich

December 15, 2008

The Service Employees International Union, the largest union for healthcare workers, was named in a federal criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) last week.

States mull cutting Medicaid, other programs to stop spiraling deficits

November 18, 2008

As the economic crisis continues, the long-term care community is bracing for states to slash Medicaid as one way to reduce steep budget shortfalls this coming year. New York could be one such state.

Economic initiatives may precede healthcare reform when Obama takes office, experts say

November 06, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama has laid out ambitious proposals in the area of healthcare reform. But such reform initially might be put on the back burner because of pressing economic concerns, industry observers say.

Urge Congress to pass stimulus package, former senator tells policy experts

November 03, 2008

Former Sen. Bob Kerrey told a panel of state and federal long-term care policy experts to push Congress to pass a stimulus package before the new Congress convenes.

Labor Department unseats long-term care union leaders

October 22, 2008

Elected officers at the Service Employees International Union's largest California chapter are out of their posts after the U.S. Labor Department charged the local's leaders with violating labor laws.

Nursing Home Transparency Act surfaces in House

October 02, 2008

U.S. Reps. Pete Stark (D-CA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) recently introduced a new version of the Nursing Home Transparency and Quality of Care Act of 2008 to the House.

California ends longest budget stalemate in history; much-needed Medicaid funding to arrive

September 24, 2008

After a record 85-day lawmaker impasse, California finally has a new budget. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) signed the $143 billion spending bill Tuesday, nearly one-fourth of the way through the fiscal year.

Democrats discuss federal Medicaid increase as part of economic stimulus plan

September 18, 2008

How to jump-start the economy is a big topic these days. This week, Democrats returned to a familiar stimulus theme: increasing the share of federal Medicaid payments.

California governor threatens to veto budget, continuing impasse

September 18, 2008

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) said he plans to nix a $145 billion budget proposal on Friday. If passed, the proposal would end the longest budget impasse in the state's history and restore many benefits and provider pay rates to the Medi-Cal program.

Senate committee passes nursing home arbitration bill

September 15, 2008

The Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2008, a bill that would eliminate arbitration agreements as a requirement for admission into a nursing home, is one step closer to becoming a law.

Leavitt: Bush would approve delay of two Medicaid regulations

May 01, 2008

The Bush administration would accept a short-term moratorium on two of seven proposed Medicaid regulations, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said this week.

Go ahead and tune out the upcoming blather

James Berklan May 01, 2008

Stop what you're doing for a moment and just listen. Yes, that is gentle quacking you hear in the distance.

Ask the nursing expert

Anne Marie Barnett May 01, 2008

Any suggestions as to how to follow up in an efficient manner after I delegate duties?

Lawmakers seek delay for new Medicaid rules

John O'Connor May 01, 2008

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has voted 46-0 to delay imminent Medicaid-rule changes that would cut payments and services in the long-term care sector. Most notably, the pending reductions would curtail a major source of indirect funding for facilities: provider taxes.

Former senators join forces for healthcare reform

April 21, 2008

Former U.S. Senate Majority Leaders Howard Baker, Tom Daschle, Bob Dole and George Mitchell have launched the Bipartisan Policy Center's Leaders' Project on the State of American Health Care.

Advocates laud Elder Justice Act

April 17, 2008

The Elder Justice Act (HR 1783) received a heap of accolades from senior care advocates and industry representatives at a hearing on Capitol Hill Thursday.