Providers hopeful about next Senate virus relief bill
Nursing home operators and the rest of the country may soon know the key components in a fourth, and likely final, coronavirus relief package from the federal government.
Main News
State conducting ‘top-to-bottom’ review of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities
Long-term care providers in Connecticut will be subject to a “top-to-bottom review” of their response to COVID-19, according to state officials.
SNF industry in a ‘challenging state’ as occupancy falls; Medicaid revenue up
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has the “skilled nursing industry in a challenging state right now,” one expert noted after new data revealed occupancy at SNFs dropped to 78.9% by the end of April.
Meet Vassar Byrd, Hall of Honor inductee
Vassar Byrd didn’t start her professional life in senior living. Holding a master’s degree in economics from the London School of Economics, she first spent more than 10 years as an economist for the U.S. Department of Commerce, The Advisory Board Company and ECONorthwest.
Meet Pamela Maloney, Rising Star honoree
Pamela Maloney’s commitment to educating the public and other professionals about the senior living industry is constantly on display for Senior Living Residences.
CMS ‘icon’ controversy merits ‘Grand’ attention
The provider community protested loudly when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rushed into place an open-handed “stop” icon to merely “warn” readers on the consumer-facing Nursing Home compare website about certain nursing homes that had been cited.
Also in the News for Thursday, July 9
DC-based SNF permanently closes due to coronavirus pandemic … PPE shortages still being reported by healthcare providers … Florida wants more resources allocated to long-term care facilities during pandemic … Employers with religious or moral objections don’t have to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives under ACA, Supreme Court rules
LTC residents and workers should get top priority for COVID-19 vaccine: AHCA
Residents and healthcare workers in long-term care settings should receive top priority for a COVID-19 vaccine once it becomes available, the nation’s largest nursing home association urged in a letter to a top health official.
Senators want the inside story on potential permanent telehealth changes
A bipartisan group of senators is seeking information from top federal health officials on permanent changes to Medicare telehealth rules that are currently being considered.
Providers plead for asymptomatic testing of hospital transfers to nursing homes
Virginia providers are calling on state officials to aggressively test residents prior to being discharged from hospitals into nursing homes.
Meet Wendy Nowokunski, Hall of Honor inductee
Wendy Nowokunski’s more than two decades of senior living experience include leadership roles at Benchmark Senior Living and Newton Senior Living before she co-founded Burlington, MA-based Northbridge Companies, where she is president.
Meet Hayley Boutte, Rising Star honoree
Hayley Boutte is no ordinary administrator. In the 10 years she has worked at Maison Teche Nursing Center, in Jeanerette, LA, she has made a major difference in the lives of her residents and the older adults of Jeanerette.
Also in the News for Wednesday, July 8
Operators, frontline workers likely to benefit from next virus relief bill: McConnell … Veterans nursing home gave residents ‘COVID cocktails’ without testing them for COVID-19 … Consumer advocates criticize CMS’ ‘incomplete’ coronavirus nursing home data site … Indiana brings in National Guard to test 47,000 residents … Alabama awards $18M for COVID-19 testing at nursing homes … Seniors’ lives lost to coronavirus to be honored with global day of remembrance
Nursing home lessons from COVID-19: From family webinars to Zoom staff meetings
There is an expression used in economics: Never waste a crisis. It’s a concept that has a particular meaning for nursing home operators as a result of COVID-19.
Employee spread — not controversial admission policy — was driver behind COVID-19 deaths, report finds
Unwitting nursing home workers in New York — not any specific policy — were the main force that led to COVID-19 fatalities among residents there, a report released by the NY Department of Health has found.
State’s definition change reduces COVID-19 death toll for some nursing homes
The number of coronavirus-related deaths at some Pennsylvania nursing homes has been lowered after the state updated the definition for what qualifies as a COVID-19 death.
Meet Rita Mabli, Hall of Honor inductee
Female leaders at United Hebrew of New Rochelle can thank Mabli, at least in part, for their successes.
Meet Heather Hudson, Rising Star honoree
Heather Hudson’s passion for skilled nursing and long-term care is reflected in her role as a mentor to future generations of professionals.
Also in the News for Tuesday, July 7
Nursing homes rebound, shed 18,000 jobs in June after losing 37,000 jobs in May … Rhode Island providers say state was slow to answer pleas for coronavirus testing, PPE after governor criticizes nursing home response … Nursing home fires employee after video shows worker throwing drink on resident … Proposed legislation would give ALFs just one day to report confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases
Feds should probe states’ ‘concerning’ nursing home policies during pandemic
A top health official suggested that the federal government should go back and probe several states that implemented policies essentially forcing nursing homes to take in COVID-19 patients.
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