I suppose it’s only fitting that during the week of the season’s biggest football game, Washington healthcare wonks are discussing a potential huge punt of their own.
Time for long-term care to take a lesson from the NRA?
By
John O'Connor
Jan 27, 2014
It’s funny, most of the time, Congress gets along about as well as the Hatfields and the McCoys. But if there is one thought that seems to unify our elected officials, it’s this: Nursing homes...
Long-Term Care Commission seeking provider input
By
Ashley Carman
Jul 18, 2013
The Long-Term Care Commission is looking for feedback from providers following its second meeting held yesterday. The committee wants to hear providers’ proposals before it makes recommendations...
AHCA members zero in on quality on Capitol Hill
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jun 04, 2013
Providers will focus on promoting solutions to the “doc fix,” bad debt and the observation stay loophole during visits with their Congressional representatives Tuesday. And they shouldn’t...
Pssst, here’s how the LTC lobby can eliminate the 3-day rule — and gain other Congressional perks
By
John O'Connor
Apr 19, 2013
You might not be old enough to remember the “Schoolhouse Rock” videos that aired between cartoons on Saturday mornings during the 1970s. One of my favorites was “I’m Just a Bill.”...
One week to go: Providers anxious about Medicare automatic spending cuts
Feb 22, 2013
All eyes will be on Congress when it reconvenes Monday. Lawmakers will have just four days to act if they are to derail automatic spending cuts that would take 2% off the top of Medicare reimbursements....
House Republicans aim to block board’s Medicare authority
Jan 04, 2013
Republican House leaders say they will continue to fight a part of the healthcare reform law that could lead to Medicare spending reductions without direct input from Congress. The House was scheduled...
Beware of hospital observation loopholes
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Dec 07, 2012
Hospitals have been undergoing more and more restrictions on re-admissions and are now facing financial penalties in some situations. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in more patients not being classified...
Preserving the status quo costs more than ever
By
John O'Connor
Nov 16, 2012
As $6 billion investments go, the 2012 presidential and Congressional races didn’t deliver much of a return. Except, of course, for people who like to spend money in order to keep things the way...
Campaign 2012 boosted importance, value of nursing home care in public policy dialogue
By
Alan G. Rosenbloom
Nov 12, 2012
Despite the customary complaints about negativity and the avalanche of TV ads, the 2012 campaign was unusually substantive from the standpoint of the entitlement reform discussion because both sides were...