State News for January 2017
The Obama administration approved a $52.5 billion Medicaid waiver deal for Massachusetts in December.
Print Issue: January 01, 2017
Providers say Price is right to lead HHS
Long-term care providers delivered ringing endorsements of President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Reader Poll: What would you tell your younger self if you had the chance?
“Take everything in stride. Work through the difficult times and enjoy the good ones. You stress about too much stuff you can’t fix.”
Study verifies ‘as-needed’ drugs, falls tie
Psychotropic drugs, including antipsychotics and antidepressants, increase the risk of falls among nursing home residents, according to a recently published study.
MedPAC calls for pay freeze
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission in December called for the elimination of market basket updates for skilled nursing operators in fiscal 2018 and 2019.
A good reason you might sense a lawsuit increase
Given the most recent report from Aon’s Actuarial & Analytical Practice, a few stanzas of “Whistle While You Work” could be helpful. Either that or a stiff belt of Lynchburg, TN’s finest export.
Most LTC residents decline dental care, study concludes
Almost 90% of long-term care residents do not use available dental care services during their stay, according to recent research from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
The real staffing puzzle
When you ask people in this sector about the biggest staffing challenges ahead, responses often pour into familiar buckets.
Ask the Care Expert about … flu vaccinations
One of my nurses has refused to get an annual flu vaccine. What should I do?
Lengthy hiring haunting applicant ranks
The healthcare industry is projected to need 1 million new nurses within five years, but most settings are finding the wait between placing a help wanted ad and a hiring decision to be far too long.
