Feds pledge another $225 million for COVID-19 testing in skilled nursing
President Joe Biden’s administration is allocating an additional $225 million to purchase millions more rapid, point-of-care antigen tests for long-term care facilities.
Coronavirus / COVID-19
500 ‘worst’ nursing homes would get more scrutiny, resources under reintroduced Senate bill
A pair of senators who commissioned a damning report on the worst performing U.S. nursing homes in 2019 reintroduced follow-up legislation Monday that would bring more scrutiny — and assistance — to the worst of the lot.
Anticipating B117 surge, experts urge continued focus on elders, deferred 2nd vaccine doses
Infectious disease and vaccine experts have laid out a plan for thwarting yet another uptick in transmission and illness. A new surge is likely by the end of April, they say in a CIDRAP report.
CMS approves contactless tracking in Kentucky nursing homes
The agency has approved a $6.7 million proposal by Trilogy Health Services for a smart-entry screening platform to be implemented across 285 Kentucky Medicare-certified nursing homes.
Nursing homes on the hot seat today at Senate hearing on COVID-19 ‘deficiencies’
Lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee will be taking a deep dive today behind COVID-19’s deadly impact on nursing home residents and employees.
Anticipating anniversary reactions
The coronavirus was officially declared a pandemic one year ago this month. The news is filled with articles reflecting on the dramatic changes in our lives from last year to this — lost jobs, remote school, canceled events, illness. For those in long-term care, this week last year began the pandemic visitor restrictions, and for…
November’s drop in COVID deaths may hint at early nursing home success, experts contend
Between spring pandemic lockdowns and November, mortality rates due to COVID-19 in nursing homes declined significantly — well before a vaccine was approved to treat the disease, according to a new study.
Providers seek RN staffing requirements, increased Medicaid funding with ‘bold’ $15B nursing home reform proposal
Leading long-term care industry advocates are eyeing a registered nurse staffing requirement and enhanced Medicaid funding under a set of “bold” reform measures aimed at improving that long-term care system.
Lawmakers aiming for yearlong relief from 2% Medicare sequester cut
The moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts would be extended through the end of the year under a new proposal from federal lawmakers.
Despite vaccine hesitancy, coronavirus cases among nursing home staff nose-dive 83%
Like nursing home residents, COVID-19 cases among workers have plummeted at a rapid rate since peaking in late December.
