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Nursing Homes

Finance Committee chairman works to gather bipartisan support for reform bill

September 15, 2009

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) is pushing this week to gain support for a healthcare reform bill. One of the legislation's provisions is to trim the market-basket update for nursing homes.

As Obama addresses Congress tonight, long-term care continues to weigh in on healthcare reform

September 09, 2009

Long-term care providers are likely to tune in tonight as President Barack Obama speaks about healthcare reform to a joint session of Congress.

Reid: Congress to hold off action on Employee Free Choice Act bill

August 31, 2009

The Employee Free Choice Act is, at least for the time being, off the table, Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) told the crowd at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday.

Proposed cuts would reduce nursing home Medicare payments by $44 billion over 10 years, AHCA finds

August 21, 2009

A House healthcare reform bill and a new government regulation together would cut Medicare payments to nursing homes by $44 billion over 10 years. That is according to a new analysis by the American Health Care Association.

CMS: Demonstration project to reward nursing homes that provide high-quality care

August 18, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Monday disclosed positive results from three-so-called pay-for-performance demonstrations at hospitals and physician practices. Now it wants to see if financial incentives also will help nursing homes improve or deliver high-quality care.

Osteoporosis-related hospitalizations rise

August 18, 2009

More Americans are being hospitalized for osteoporosis-related fractures and other injuries, according to a study by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Appeals court again sides with healthcare providers over state cuts to Medicaid

August 13, 2009

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit again has ruled that California's lawmakers cannot cut reimbursements to the state's Medicaid program solely because it needs to reduce expenditures.

State's Medicaid cuts could be illegal, nursing homes argue

August 11, 2009

Nursing homes in Washington state are fighting against proposed state Medicaid budget cuts. They have secured a 30-day stay while federal judges decide if the cuts are legal, according to local news sources.

Study confirms cost benefits of Guided Care for seniors with chronic conditions

August 07, 2009

Guided Care programs significantly reduce the number of days seniors with chronic conditions spend in hospitals and nursing homes. The also can save billions of dollars in healthcare costs each year, according to a new study.

Not-for-profit nursing homes provide better care, on average, than for-profits, research suggests

August 06, 2009

U.S. not-for-profit nursing homes, on average, deliver higher quality care than for-profit nursing homes, an analysis of observational studies suggests.

Misconceptions make diagnosing C. Difficile more difficult, researchers say

August 05, 2009

Both the rate and severity of C. Difficile infection have risen in recent years as accurate diagnoses have become harder to make, according to a new study.

Red Flags Rule delayed for third time as FTC continues its education drive

July 30, 2009

The Federal Trade Commission has pushed back the implementation date of the Red Flags Rule until November 1, the agency said Wednesday. The rule establishes guidelines for preventing identity theft and applies to many types of businesses, including nursing homes.

More nurses taking on overtime hours to ease recession pains

July 27, 2009

Nurses are taking on more hours and more shifts during the recession, but many say that it's only temporary, according to a new survey.

Vote on California budget compromise looms

July 22, 2009

The California state budget drama continued to play out this week as lawmakers prepare to vote Thursday on an agreement that would close a $26 billion shortfall. The compromise would be one that includes billions of dollars in healthcare and education cuts.

Certified medical directors improve quality of care in nursing homes, analysis finds

July 14, 2009

Nursing homes that employ medical directors certified by the American Medical Directors Association show significant improvement in quality of care over facilities that don't, according to a new analysis.

GAO: Medicaid money, other stimulus funding not being used properly

July 09, 2009

So far, states have received roughly $29 billion in stimulus funds, more than 90% of which is supposed to go to Medicaid and a fund for education, public safety and other services. But according to a new report, much of that money isn't going to the intended recipients.

Appeals court rules that nursing homes can be sued for private civil rights violations

July 07, 2009

A federal law related to the oversight and inspection of nursing homes creates a legal pathway for private civil rights lawsuits to be filed against nursing homes in cases of alleged wrongful death, a federal appeals court recently decided.

Greenlee confirmed as head of aging in HHS

July 06, 2009

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Kathy Greenlee, a strong proponent of home- and community-based services, as the next assistant secretary of aging in the Department of Health and Human Services.

Five-Star makes complaints against nursing homes even more serious

Tyler J. Smith July 06, 2009

Nursing homes have a difficult enough time contending with the survey and certification system. Now that the Five-Star Quality Rating System has begun, they have to work even harder to protect themselves against the faulty survey process.

Supreme Court ruling cited in argument for removing mentally ill from nursing homes

July 01, 2009

A 10-year-old Supreme Court ruling is being dusted off to make the case for taking the mentally ill out of nursing homes and supporting them in the community and at home.

HHS rescinds, delays four restrictive Medicaid provisions

June 30, 2009

The Department of Health and Human Services has removed or postponed implementation of four unpopular Medicaid regulations that were set to take effect on Wednesday. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius made the announcement Monday.

Bill would allow Medicare to pay for adult day care services

June 30, 2009

In a move that would further shift the focus of long-term care away from nursing homes and toward other home- and community-based services, Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) Thursday introduced a bill that would allow Medicare to pay for adult day care services.

Civil Money Penalty funds don't have to go directly to nursing homes, CMS notes

June 26, 2009

A recently released memo from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services clarifies that Civil Money Penalty (CMP) funds are not just for nursing homes.

CMS proposes granting states more flexibility with Medicaid HCBS waivers

June 23, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services plans to propose a rule allowing states to combine waivers for three separate home and community-based services target populations. This continues the federal government's push to expand Medicaid funding to home- and community-based care.

CMS nursing home guidance focuses on resident quality of life, environment and choice

June 22, 2009

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Friday issued new guidance for nursing home surveyors emphasizing the importance of resident quality of life and homelike environments.

Telemedicine found effective at treating nursing home residents with Parkinson's

June 18, 2009

Telemedicine improves both motor function and quality of life in nursing home residents with Parkinson's, according to a newly released report.

California denied federal bailout funds, future of long-term care funding remains uncertain

June 17, 2009

Obama Administration officials Tuesday denied a request from California lawmakers for federal financial bailout assistance, according to recent reports. The Golden State faces a $24 billion budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year beginning July 1.

Acting surgeon general stresses falls reduction as part of 'healthy homes' program

June 12, 2009

Acting Surgeon General Steven K. Galson, M.D., said this week he will make prevention of senior falls one of the top priorities of his new program, "The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Healthy Homes."

Survey: Most healthcare providers believe national health insurance plan would hurt care quality

June 12, 2009

A total of 75% of healthcare providers think that a national health insurance plan would reduce the quality of care or have a neutral effect. That is according to the results of a study of 500 various healthcare providers, including nursing homes.

Number of nursing home beds, residents decreasing, report finds

June 11, 2009

The number of both nursing home beds and nursing home residents in the United States declined between 1999 and 2004, according to the recently released results of the National Nursing Home Survey: 2004 Overview.