McCain would dig into Medicare, Medicaid to balance budget, he says
Jul 08, 2008
Republican presidential hopeful John McCain drew fire from healthcare providers Monday when he promised to balance the federal budget by the end of his first term, in part, through reductions in Medicare...
Senators pushing for vote on Medicare bill by week’s end
Jul 08, 2008
Senate Democratic leaders are hoping for a vote on the critical Medicare bill by the end of the week, news and industry sources say.
As recess ends, work begins for Senate on Medicare bill
Jul 07, 2008
Democratic senators return from their holiday recess this week with a clear objective: to vote on the now-familiar H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.
SEIU touts new nursing-home recruitment record
Jul 03, 2008
The Service Employees International Union recently organized more nursing home workers than ever before in such a short period, the organization said.
Healthcare groups use ads to lobby lawmakers on Medicare bill
Jul 03, 2008
Congress may be on break this week, but two industry groups launched ads spurring the Senate to take action on a Medicare bill that affects nursing home residents and other older adults when it returns...
Senator asks for temporary extension of Part B therapy caps exceptions process
Jul 03, 2008
Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, sent a letter Wednesday urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to maintain the exceptions process for Medicare Part B therapy...
Bush signs bill delaying six of seven Medicaid rules
Jul 01, 2008
President Bush on Monday signed a war-spending bill that delays six of seven Medicaid regulations until April of 2009. The move represents a so-called “win” for nursing-home providers.
CMS decides not to extend therapy caps exemptions process
Jul 01, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Monday told the long-term care community it will not extend the therapy caps exceptions process, which expired Monday. As a result, many residents now will...
Bipartisan letter to Bush: Don’t cut skilled nursing facility payments
Jun 30, 2008
Lawmakers in overwhelming numbers last week expressed their dislike of proposed skilled nursing facility payment reductions of $770 million for fiscal year 2009. A total of 40 senators and 110 representatives...
Senate delays six of seven controversial Medicaid rules
Jun 30, 2008
Nursing homes claimed a victory late last week after the Senate approved a war appropriations bill that contains a moratorium on six of seven unpopular Medicaid provisions.