Uneven broadband access fostering inequality, panelists say
By
Liza Berger
May 17, 2022
The U.S. is creating two Americas with its lack of cohesive policy on universal broadband access, said panelists Monday during the Department of Health and Human Services’ Telehealth Conference.
Experts criticize COVID booster strategy for leaving one-third of seniors without needed shots
By
Danielle Brown
May 13, 2022
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows more than 30% of fully-vaccinated seniors 65 and older have yet to get their COVID-19 booster shots, despite being most at risk for serious...
AHCA/NCAL, 15 other groups pressure HHS to extend public health emergency
By
Lois A. Bowers
May 12, 2022
Sixteen national organizations were thinking of fall and the flu Tuesday when they asked HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to extend the public health emergency related to COVID-19.
Federal COVID funding averted skilled nursing ‘collapse,’ but new dangers ahead
By
Danielle Brown
May 12, 2022
Federal COVID-19 relief funding saved the skilled nursing industry from crumbling during the earlier days of the pandemic as providers struggled with increased expenses and historic occupancy lows, an...
Providers, patients fear loss of ‘critical’ waivers if vigilance lapses and PHE not extended
By
Danielle Brown
May 12, 2022
A group of 15 healthcare organizations on Tuesday warned a top health official that providers and patients could lose “vital” flexibilities if the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) isn’t extended...
DaVita exec skeptical pandemic is receding
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 11, 2022
The chief financial officer for global dialysis provider DaVita Health is throwing cold water on the notion that the COVID-19 pandemic is ending anytime soon.
11% of state’s nursing homes facing closure, survey finds
By
Danielle Brown
May 09, 2022
About 11% of nursing home operators in Minnesota are considering selling their facility or closing their doors due to continued financial strain caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey has found.
‘Very real challenges’ coming for nursing homes with end of first set of COVID waivers
By
Danielle Brown
May 06, 2022
The first set of COVID-related waivers have officially been put to rest and nursing home providers expect the changes will create “some very real challenges” with care access for residents.
LTC visitor data: Home health, hospice care held steady while family visits plummeted
By
Diane Eastabrook
May 04, 2022
An analysis of sign-ins at 6,000 SNFs and senior living facilities found that third-party care such as home health visits remained consistent during the pandemic, while family visits were curtailed.
Honoring our fallen
By
Sara Bender
May 04, 2022
“What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” — Helen Keller. These past two years of the pandemic have presented clinical challenges...