Providers will be among the interested stakeholders watching closely for signs whether the Senate will follow the House's lead and vote to repeal the CLASS Act. Many observers believe the Democrat-led Senate will not, but there has been at least a minor shift in momentum for it recently. Various news reports have detailed what it could mean to have the dormant measure still on the books, and fiscal conservatives don't like it. Meanwhile, proponents of the first-ever government long-term care benefit continue to press their opponents with the question: If not CLASS, then what?

Long-term care providers must have a system in place to notify workers of their rights under the National Labor Relations Act by Tuesday or risk disciplinary measures. On Aug. 30, the National Labor Relations Board issued a final rule instructing private-sector employers that they must issue workers' rights notices where other workplace notices are similarly posted. Employers also need to post to Internet or intranet sites, if that is what is usually used to communicate similar matters with employees.

The U.S. Senate ends its recess Monday, six days after the House reconvened. That sets the stage for more intense lobbying over healthcare spending and other measures, including the Medicare Part B therapy caps exceptions process and how to fund Medicare doctors. Both were part of a two-month reprieve Congress approved shortly before Christmas. Long-term care providers and numerous other special interest groups will continue their blitz of lawmakers and their staff members in attempts to curry favor for what should be a much longer legislative solution this time. Also on tap: Watching intently Tuesday to see whether long-term care is mentioned in President Obama's State of the Union address.

The next monthly Skilled Nursing Facility/Long Term Care Open Door Forum will take place at 2 p.m. (Eastern) on Thursday. The monthly national conference call features officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services giving news updates and answering stakeholders' live questions from around the country. Registration for the audio only streaming web forum will open today, according to CMS. For the latest updates on SNF Open Door Forums, click on the headline above and then on the link here.

LeadingAge will be administering "call-in" days to Congress next Thursday and Friday to lobby lawmakers for favorable funding consideration. Shortly before Christmas, legislators approved a two-month patch for Medicare physician pay and Part B therapy caps "fixes." Now it's time for them to agree on longer-term solutions — and, providers hope, pay for them without harming long-term care funding. Officials at LeadingAge are calling on stakeholders of all kinds to rally for the cause.

Long-term care providers and other caregivers — as well as significant other groups of people around the country — will be anxiously watching to see if the Senate and the House can get together on compromise funding legislation before the end of the year. At risk with the dawning of 2012 will be major funding cutbacks to Medicare doctors, expiration of the Medicare therapy exceptions process, among other items. An impasse was created after the Senate overwhelmingly passed a package that included a two-month extension to payroll tax cuts last weekend, but then the Republican-led House voted down the same measure. Millions of people will be affected one way or another.

While some policy wonks might spend next week pushing for favorable decisions out of Congress before members flee for their winter recess, one long-term care operator will be working with even higher authorities: Santa and Mrs. Claus. Staff and residents at Pine Heights in Brattleboro, VT, will be fielding children's calls made directly to the jolly pair Monday through Friday. Residents who will handle calls to The Ho, Ho Hotline attended Ho, Ho Academy training Thursday in order to prepare for questions they might hear. They also were visited by a local toy department manager who showed them what this year's popular kids' items are.

The American College of Health Care Administrators is holding its 18th annual Winter Marketplace meeting today through Sunday in Las Vegas. Three hundred long-term care leaders and a variety of vendors and information specialists will be on hand to celebrate "The Essence of Leadership," the meeting's theme. Dozens of continuing education credits will be available via sessions at Bally's Las Vegas, covering legal, operations, staffing and other issues.

Long-term care officials will have a stake in the 23rd annual National Forum of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement from Sunday through Wednesday in Orlando, FL. Nearly 6,000 healthcare professionals from more than 40 countries are expected to take part. Sessions will focus on providing more effective patient care while lowering costs. Resident- and family-centered care, transitions and hospital re-admissions will be among the conference's focal points. Top speakers will include Michael J. Fox, the acclaimed actor and Parkinson's research advocate, and Eric Greitens, a Navy Seal officer and the CEO of The Mission Continues, a nonprofit organization focusing on wounded and disabled veterans. Maureen Bisognano, the president and chief executive of the host group also will present.

The government's next long-term care "Open Door Forum" conference call will be exactly a week after Thanksgiving on Dec. 1. Providers and other interested stakeholders are invited to take part in this free, monthly conference call and Q & A session hosted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The hourlong event begins at 2 p.m. Eastern. Participants (who will be put on mute until the Q&A portion) are encouraged to call in about 15 minutes early at (800) 837-1935. Use conference I.D. number 93952052.