Nursing homes to be notified of initial ‘five-star’ ratings starting Monday
Dec 12, 2008
Nursing home operators on Monday will begin receiving advance notice of their first ratings in federal regulators’ new “five-star” system, officials said during a conference call Thursday.
Medicare payments to nursing facilities may stay same in FY 2010
Dec 08, 2008
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) may recommend to Congress that skilled nursing facilities not receive a Medicare payment update in fiscal year 2010.
Newly appointed Orszag expected to play healthcare reform role
Dec 01, 2008
The recent appointment of Peter Orszag to director of the White House Office of Management and Budget indicates that the Obama administration is serious about controlling the rising costs of healthcare,...
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
Obama administration unlikely to enact pending Medicaid rules, panel says
Nov 21, 2008
Seven unpopular Medicaid rules, six of which were delayed from taking effect, are unlikely to be implemented under an Obama administration, panelists said at a meeting of the American Bar Association this...
Obama wins: New president favors long-term care financing reform
Nov 05, 2008
Democratic candidate Barack Obama last night was elected the next president of the United States. His proposals for long-term care include financing reform.
Experts favor new payment system rewarding higher quality and more efficient care
Nov 04, 2008
A new survey of healthcare leaders finds that almost all feel the current healthcare payment system is fundamentally flawed and must be reformed. An overwhelming majority favor bonuses for high-quality...
Urge Congress to pass stimulus package, former senator tells policy experts
Nov 03, 2008
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey told a panel of state and federal long-term care policy experts to push Congress to pass a stimulus package before the new Congress convenes.
Worried governors ask Congress for more federal Medicaid funding
Oct 29, 2008
The nation’s governors have appealed to congressional leaders to boost federal Medicaid funding and change tax provisions to help states through the current economic slowdown. In particular, the...
Study: Medicare pay-for-performance penalizes hospitals that treat more elderly patients
Oct 22, 2008
Hospitals that serve large groups of the elderly, poor, African-American or female patients tend to be ranked lower than hospitals with healthier, younger clientele under the Medicare pay-for-performance...