Nursing home stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic regarding Medicare Advantage plan audits announced by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last month, but many hope the agency will extend the same scrutiny to prior authorizations, AI usage and internal coverage criteria. Operators are unlikely to face reimbursement cuts as a result of the audits, […]
The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is requesting $454.4 million in its fiscal year 2026 budget to continue fighting fraud, waste, and abuse in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs, with nursing homes being identified as one of its three main areas of priority, with the reduction of antipsychotic drug use […]
During a Congressional hearing held Wednesday, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. defended the Trump administration’s proposed cuts to top health agencies as lawmakers questioned HHS actions under his leadership – ranging from workforce reductions at HHS to spending cuts on scientific research, including research impacting older adults […]
A leaked budget document from the White House shows nursing home-related changes, notably potential elimination of health care workforce programs focused on geriatrics and other aging services, and a prioritization of survey and certification funding. The “pre-decisional” document titled, “The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) 2026 Discretionary Budget Passback,” released by Inside Medicine, […]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) funding cuts – only temporarily restored by a federal court – would be detrimental to nursing homes in many states if made permanent. Pennsylvania, New York, California, Wisconsin and Minnesota are among the states named in a multi-state lawsuit, which aims to block the Trump administration from […]
A federal judge for the U.S. District Court of Northern Texas on Monday threw out the federal nursing home staffing mandate, while just Thursday the Trump administration defended the staffing rule in a brief filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk of the U.S. District Court for Northern […]
Nursing home surveys – already an area of trouble given chronic underfunding – are set to fall into deeper turmoil amid massive workforce cuts and restructuring planned at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, former chief of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), expressed skepticism that the Trump administration’s […]
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) restructuring plans announced Thursday could impact several departments serving the nursing home sector, leaving operators on edge. The department plans to cut around 10,000 full-time employees, including 300 at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in the latest round of cuts. Combined with HHS’ previous […]
Nursing home leaders are hoping that the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) new chief, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was sworn in on Thursday, will commit to protecting Medicare and Medicaid and undoing the federal staffing mandate. Republican lawmakers are pushing for potential Medicaid cuts in their spending bill due to be finalized […]
At a time when healthcare policy changes and potential Medicaid cuts create uncertainty for nursing homes, Signature HealthCARE is forging ahead with initiatives that will result in certain wins for providers. According to Kathy Gallin, vice president of legislative affairs and health policy at Signature HealthCARE, key legislative priorities for the organization include workforce solutions […]
Days after the Trump administration issued an executive order to freeze federal aid, it has been rescinded. The order affected Medicaid funding, with at least 20 states on Tuesday unable to draw funds. More than six out of 10 nursing home residents rely on Medicaid to cover their daily care; it’s a critical safety net […]
The newly installed Trump administration late Tuesday prompted federal health agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), to pause external communications through Feb. 1. That includes regular scientific reports, updates to websites and health advisories – communication that those in the nursing home industry regularly rely upon. Nursing home associations including the […]
In the aftermath of the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) response to a pending lawsuit against the federal minimum staffing mandate, nursing home sector experts are stressing that legally defeating the mandate – and effectively canceling it – remains crucial. “The section [in HHS’s response] relating to the limitation on the relief is […]
In the litigation against the federal nursing home staffing mandate, in which state attorneys general from 20 states are seeking a temporary halt, a federal judge heard oral arguments from both the government and the states on Thursday. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) urged the federal judge to deny the injunctive relief requested by […]
A new study on Medicaid payment rates from 44 states shows Medicaid payment rates among nursing homes on average don’t adequately cover today’s costs. Meanwhile, higher staffing levels often correlate with lower Medicaid payment-to-cost ratios. And, nonprofits appear to have the lowest payment-to-cost ratio for Medicaid. Medicaid rates only covered bout 82 cents per every […]
Skilled nursing facilities need reasonable flexibility and additional support to meet the latest federal mandate – an off-cycle revalidation process for Medicare – for which nursing home advocates are seeking an extension. The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) sent a letter on Wednesday to the U.S. Department of Health […]
Pennsylvania bankruptcy court late Monday approved the $53 million sale of nine nursing homes in the state to affiliates of Kadima Healthcare Group, as part of Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings for more than a dozen facilities operating under Comprehensive Healthcare Management Solutions. Notably, transaction documents do not transfer assets to any insiders, affiliates, officers or […]
As states in Hurricane Helene’s path grapple with its devastating effects days after it made landfall in Florida Thursday evening, nursing home operators are dealing with significant repair and maintenance challenges that could last a while – particularly in states like North Carolina. Damage to transportation, power and utilities could make recovery in some states […]
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit on Wednesday against federal agencies over the minimum staffing rule for nursing homes, claiming the rule’s implementation without clear congressional authorization constitutes an overreach of regulatory power. The Texas lawsuit argues that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) staffing mandate violates the Major Questions Doctrine […]
A resolution to the lawsuit challenging the nursing home federal minimum staffing mandate could be reached as early as January, if the court finalizes a proposed schedule put forth by the American Health Care Association (AHCA), LeadingAge and other industry leaders. If this turns out to be the case, the lawsuit would be resolved more […]
By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. More Information
The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. For more information, see our cookie policy.
