Long-term care, labor reportedly agree to compromise on healthcare reform

The White House, in the final rounds of healthcare reform negotiations, reportedly has gained a few more concessions from a number of stakeholders, including long-term care and unions.

Among groups reportedly approached by the White House in recent days was the American Health Care Association, the largest association representing nursing home providers. Susan Feeney, spokeswoman for AHCA, said that White House and Senate officials have asked the nursing home industry to agree to additional concessions, The Associated Press reported last week. AHCA has expressed criticism for the billions of dollars worth of Medicare cuts in the House bill.

Unions, too, reportedly have been part of the negotiating process. A tax on so-called “Cadillac healthcare plans” will be in a final bill after union leaders compromised on the taxing of individual plans that cost more than $8,900 per year, and family plans that cost more than $24,000 per year.