Sweetwater Care affiliates were blocked from acquiring 11 Next Step Healthcare nursing homes in Massachusetts, according to a ruling by the state Department of Public Health. Affiliates of Carlsbad, California-based Sweetwater were found “unsuitable” to acquire the Massachusetts facilities by state officials.; Sweetwater can appeal the decision but isn’t allowed to obtain a license for […]
Category: Legislation
More states are imposing new laws to add oversight of private equity (PE) in healthcare, including nursing homes. As a result, the number of PE-involved healthcare deals declined since least year, according to a report in Pitchbook, and the value of those deals in the first half of this year is lower than this time […]
Pennsylvania’s new state budget approved a financial boost for nursing homes by setting a guaranteed minimum Medicaid reimbursement level, a change providers say will improve financial stability as facilities contend with rising demand, workforce shortages and mounting costs. The policy, signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro as part of Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget, establishes a […]
Ohio’s newly passed Medicaid oversight bill could drive more patients into skilled nursing facilities, with disability advocates warning that new requirements for home care providers may reduce access to community-based services. The legislation follows concerns about Medicaid fraud in Ohio’s home care system, which prompted Gov. Mike DeWine to impose a six-month moratorium on new […]
Nearly 700 nursing home provider representatives will be urging federal lawmakers to take action on Medicare Advantage reform and other top policy priorities for the sector. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) kicks off its Congressional Briefing event on Monday. The most important endeavor for members is to share […]
The American Nurses Association and a group of other organizations have jointly filed suit against the Department of Education over its final rule excluding nursing from the “professional degree” designation. The American Nurses Association (ANA) and nine other nursing organizations filed the suit in response to a policy, starting July 1, excludes post-baccalaureate nursing degree […]
Senate Democrats are seeking to improve access to affordable long-term care by using incentives to address workforce shortages, increasing nursing home quality and expanding home care services. The initiative was outlined in a letter signed by Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden and 16 other Senate Democrats. The budget reconciliation signed by President Donald […]
Pennsylvania lawmakers have introduced new emergency preparedness legislation aimed at making nursing home evacuations easier for first responders. State Sen. Steve Santarsiero and Rep. Tina Davis introduced the bill following explosions at Saber Healthcare Group’s Bristol Health and Rehabilitation in the state, which left three dead and another 20 people injured – at the time, […]
Lawmakers introduced a bill this week to address growing concerns within Medicare Advantage. It aims to strengthen oversight and patient protections, responding to delays from prior authorization, inconsistent coverage decisions and administrative barriers. The Medicare Advantage Improvement Act of 2026 includes provisions to prevent delays and denials of care, increase transparency in prior authorization, penalize […]
Nursing home residents in Minnesota can now imbibe while recovering, under the “Grandparents’ Happy Hour” law signed by Gov. Tim Walz this week. The law removes a previous restriction that required nursing homes and assisted living facilities to hold a liquor license in order to serve alcohol. Organized “happy hour” events are already being planned, […]
Some nursing home operators in New Hampshire are facing Medicaid cuts due to a disconnect between old payment methodology and a newer one, spurring legislative action. The discrepancy stems from a formula that relies on case mix index measuring patient needs on a specific date. This figure is compared against an overall patient mix that […]
With reimbursement for brand name drugs sharply decreasing under the Inflation Reduction Act, long-term care pharmacies are having to make difficult decisions that will have a lasting impact on nursing home residents. The law disrupts long-term care pharmacies’ business model, capping payments for certain high-use brand name drugs through maximum fair price rules, said Alan […]
Virginia’s lawmakers are considering several measures aimed at strengthening oversight, staffing and support for nursing homes across the state. Among the legislative proposals for SNFs is a state bill which would establish minimum staffing standards for certified nursing homes participating in Virginia’s Medicaid Nursing Facility Value-Based Purchasing program. The bill would require facilities to provide […]
Nursing home leaders pushed – with donations to the Trump campaign – to have the federal nursing home staffing mandate repealed permanently, arguing the rule would raise costs and force facilities to close. According to a report in the New York Times, about 40 corporate entities associated with nursing homes across the country donated nearly […]
There’s been a resurgence in legislation on electronic monitoring devices in nursing homes, with 17 states actively figuring out the right balance between privacy for residents and their safety amid continued workforce pressures. One thing is clear between operators and state associations: such laws must put resident choice and autonomy first. Legal expert Bradley Arant […]
Nursing homes are facing rising legal risk as plaintiffs are increasing their use of AI to analyze medical records and public data. The trend is making documentation gaps more visible and influencing which nursing home-related cases law firms choose to pursue. In 2026, skilled nursing providers will face key legal challenges tied to this shift, […]
Calls to pass legislation have intensified in New Jersey, which would require greater financial transparency from nursing homes. Such requirements would include disclosure of owners and related management entities. Support for NJ Senate Bill 1948 grew after investigative reporting found there to be widespread use of related-party businesses, low spending on resident food and care […]
The United States’ nearly 15,000 nursing homes could see big changes to reimbursement in 2026 due to the reconciliation law, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). This is according to a KFF Health News analysis, which recently dove into the implications and broke down nursing home characteristics. The analysis covers 10 […]
Skilled nursing margins and occupancy stabilized over the last year, but a looming issue for 2026 is the sizeable Medicaid cuts included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). As a result, experts say nursing homes will need to closely monitor policy changes and shifts in skilled nursing referrals. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), presented these and […]
Multi-million dollar judgments have hit the long-scrutinized California nursing home chain owned by Shlomo Rechnitz, stemming from multiple lawsuits alleging patient harm, severe neglect and rights violations. Rechnitz’ companies deny all allegations, despite the judgments and more trials forthcoming. Recent jury awards include $2.34 million to 84-year-old Betsy Jenta, whose rights were found to be […]
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