An amendment for a bill that aims to alleviate staff shortages at nursing homes passed Wednesday, allowing nurse aides to continue their training at facilities facing violations and fines. As the bill titled, “Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act,” now moves on to the next stage of review, the amendment signals a shift in […]
Congress
Bad policy decisions, political acrimony and poor staffing were to blame for the alarming number of deaths in nursing homes, experts and legislators said in a U.S. House of Representatives hearing held on Wednesday. As Democratic and Republican lawmakers pointed fingers at each other, they agreed that among the many deficiencies, the must-admit policy deeply […]
Democratic lawmakers this week penned a letter urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to ensure workers aren’t overburdened with high caseloads and inadequate support. The legislators, led by U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Lloyd Doggett (D-Tex.), also called on CMS to establish robust nursing home staffing standards to ensure residents receive […]
Preparations for Minimum Data Set (MDS) changes vary from state to state, raising questions about how Medicaid reimbursements will be determined as the clock ticks down to the Oct. 1 start date. The key issue is the removal of Section G, which is used to measure the functional status of residents, from the nursing home […]
Senate Republicans scuttled their most recent attempt to pass health care reform legislation after several members announced their opposition to the bill, putting proposed Obamacare replacement on hold — and prompting skilled nursing operators and advocates to breathe a temporary sigh of relief. “We appreciate the Senators that hit the pause button on this debate,” […]
As ongoing Obamacare repeal efforts cloud the future of Medicaid, a bipartisan pair of representatives introduced a bill they claim will help strengthen Medicare Advantage access for the most vulnerable seniors. H.R. 3168 would reauthorize Medicare Special Needs Plans, which are generally restricted to recipients who need institutional care, must manage chronic illnesses, or qualify for […]
The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill that would limit skilled nursing and other health care providers’ liability in malpractice cases, prompting praise from industry groups but concern from patient advocates. The Protecting Access to Care Act of 2017 would establish federal statutes of limitation on lawsuits stemming from injuries incurred at any […]
Faced with growing dissent from both the conservative and moderate wings of his own party, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell delayed a vote on the Republican plan to repeal and replace Obamacare — one day after the Congressional Budget Office foresaw a dark future for Medicaid under the bill. McConnell announced Tuesday that the Senate would […]
Under the Senate’s plan to repeal and replace Obamacare, most skilled nursing facilities will lose far more in Medicaid dollars than they make each year — and states could start the belt-tightening as soon as next year if the legislation passes in its current form. Pointing to two key changes in the way Medicaid funding […]
The U.S. Senate on Thursday released the long-awaited details of its Obamacare repeal plan, confirming rumors that it would see the House’s plan to cut Medicaid spending and raise it — potentially spelling trouble for skilled nursing operators. Medicaid remains the single largest payer for skilled nursing services in the United States, shelling out $55 billion to SNFs […]
As the Senate reportedly prepares to release its version of legislation that would repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, a leading health care nonprofit warns that changes to the Medicaid program under the American Health Care Act could harm the skilled nursing industry. Medicaid represents the largest payer for skilled nursing services, providing $55 […]
The Senate’s version of the American Health Care Act may include an even more austere future for Medicaid spending than the House’s vision of $800 billion in cuts over the next decade. Medicaid is the largest payer for long-term care nationally, and skilled nursing providers are watching the evolving legislation closely — though it remains unclear what […]
The American Health Care Act would gradually constrict skilled nursing and other health providers’ ability to care for Medicaid patients over the coming decades, especially as the proportion of Medicaid recipients aged 85 and older increases, a new report from AARP alleges. The Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group’s concern stems from the AHCA’s mandate to shift […]