‘No Chance to Correct’: Rise in Sudden CMS Termination Notices Increases Special Focus Facility Closures, Wreaks Havoc

Abrupt termination notices related to Medicaid and Medicare certification for nursing homes on the Special Focus Facilities (SFF) list have picked up dramatically as of late February, often occurring  without warning or giving facilities the chance to demonstrate improvement. As a result of these abrupt terminations, nursing homes on the list have closed, including 143-bed […]

SEIU Files Court Brief in Support of CMS Nursing Home Staffing Mandate

The nation’s largest labor representative of nursing home caregivers filed a brief opposing the lawsuit against the federal staffing mandate for nursing homes, arguing that the new requirements will help address the national shortage of staff at facilities.  The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) represents over 150,000 nursing home workers in 23 states. Last year, […]

OIG Guidance Has Nursing Home Corporate Compliance – And ‘Tunneling’ – in its Crosshairs

Federal agencies are honing in on ownership transparency and corporate-level compliance, most recently with the Office of Inspector General (OIG) citing concerns about certain practices that allow nursing homes to hide profits. OIG’s latest guidance focuses on the practice of “tunneling,” which refers to the misrepresentation or concealment of profitability in payments to related parties, […]

Shift from Biden to Harris Unlikely to Rattle Staffing Mandate, as Unions Remain Strong Supporters

Following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, leaders in the nursing home space say there likely won’t be any change to the federal minimum staffing mandate or lawsuit given an ongoing strong connection with unions. Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to run in his place. On Monday, Harris […]

Supreme Court Ruling Is a ‘Game Changer’ for Challenging Nursing Home Staffing Mandate, CMS Authority

A Supreme Court decision on Friday could significantly weaken federal agencies’ authority to regulate industries, including powers of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with wide implications for the recently finalized federal minimum staffing rule for nursing homes. The Supreme Court’s decision to discard the long-standing so-called Chevron doctrine is a “game changer,” […]

‘Fast-Tracked’: AHCA Lawsuit Opposing Nursing Home Staffing Mandate Has Strong Legs, With Injunction Expected Soon

Lawyers and other leaders in the nursing home sector believe the American Health Care Association’s (AHCA) lawsuit is strong, framed well and likely to succeed, with a decision possible by early 2025. An injunction from the plaintiffs – all 5-Star facilities located in Texas along with AHCA – regarding staffing rule’s implementation should follow in […]

Why a Nursing Home Case Heard by SCOTUS Could Have Sweeping Implications 

Larger implications surrounding a nursing home case to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 8 has both operators and civil rights activists anxiously awaiting a decision. For SNF operators, the case could determine whether state-owned nursing homes are shielded from federal lawsuits. Far-reaching questions regarding Medicaid beneficiaries and their rights in federal […]