‘Strong evidence’ more immigrant caregivers improve nursing home quality: researchers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 22, 2023
Better federal policies to increase the number of immigrants working in nursing homes could help providers get over the hump in meeting expected new staffing requirements, new research shows.
Providers support state’s flexible, incentive-laden staffing mandate but CMS may soon make it moot
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 21, 2023
Nursing home advocates and observers say Virginia’s staffing mandate adequately melds direct care hours with financial incentives for facilities and punitive flexibility by state regulators.
‘Creativity just isn’t enough’ to cover costs of care without more pay, alarmed nursing home leaders...
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 21, 2023
Creative ideas to entice more workers to Iowa’s nursing homes will not solve the labor shortfall and wage issues unless lawmakers increase funding to match the cost of care, providers and advocates said.
Florida nursing home wins whistleblower lawsuit but not $400,000 in defense costs
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 21, 2023
A Florida nursing home is not entitled to nearly $400,000 in attorney’s fees despite prevailing against a former employee who filed a whistleblower lawsuit alleging Medicare fraud, a US magistrate ruled. ...
Lawmaker asks state to reconsider 2-bed per room rule to avert nursing home closures
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 16, 2023
A Massachusetts state representative wants to pause a pandemic-inspired rule limiting nursing homes to two beds per room for a year in the wake of four nursing homes on the western side of the state shuttering.
After COVID failures, VA home rally enables admissions resumption
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 16, 2023
A New Jersey veterans home can begin admitting new residents after getting its infection control protocols in line with federal standards, although an industry observer cautioned that some restrictions...
LTC wage-hike effort headed for run-in with state minimum staffing proposal
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 15, 2023
Many states’ nursing facilities are facing extremely difficult operating conditions, but Connecticut’s nursing homes are staring down double barrels that could make it increasingly hard for them to...
‘Wrong-headed’ bill would limit nursing home financial power over residents
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 15, 2023
Legislation proposed to protect seniors’ financial assets against bad actors connected with nursing homes would actually punish some vulnerable seniors, says a leading long-term care advocate in New...
State’s nursing homes headed for terrible trifecta of fines, admissions freezes, Medicaid repayment
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 14, 2023
A nursing home staffing mandate is a “death sentence” for facilities that could soon owe tens of millions of dollars in noncompliance fines in Rhode Island, according to a top advocate there.
Senators push CMS to issue — and fund — federal nursing home staffing mandate soon
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 13, 2023
A group of Senators is urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to proceed as quickly as possible with setting a minimum staffing mandate for nursing homes.