Under strike threat, nursing homes still awaiting $67 million in promised staffing grants
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 25, 2023
A December deadline to begin distributing $67 million from the state of Michigan to nursing homes came and went with zero dollars going to providers.
Senators call on CMS to end push for mandatory staffing in nursing homes
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 24, 2023
A bipartisan group of US senators representing rural states is calling on the Biden administration to halt its plan to mandate staffing levels in nursing homes, saying it’s the wrong step to take as...
With federal staffing proposal near, states also progressing toward minimums
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 23, 2023
State lawmakers are showing an appetite for mandatory healthcare staffing rules, with new nursing home-specific or tough hospital proposals on the table in at least four additional states.
Doctors in Congress working on Medicare payment fix
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 23, 2023
The unofficial Doctors Caucus in the US House of Representatives thinks the time is right to overhaul Medicare payments to physicians, which could lead to a boost in provider pay.
Federal report questions efficiency of required nursing hours in infection control
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 20, 2023
A new federal report calls into question whether Medicare’s required hours for registered and licensed practical nurses are adequate in helping protect nursing home residents from infections.
Hybrid COVID immunity conveyed by infection, shots lasts up to 12 months: study
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 20, 2023
Hybrid immunity of infection and immunization provides up to 12 months of protection against hospitalization or a severe, second COVID infection, according to a new study.
US health chief: COVID vaccinations up at nursing homes but egregious lapses exist
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 19, 2023
The top US health official on Wednesday complimented nursing homes’ efforts to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates over the last two months, but he also made it clear that conditions must continue to improve.
1,000 nursing home workers in Michigan threaten strike over wages, benefits, staffing levels
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 19, 2023
More than 1,000 nursing home workers from 13 facilities in Michigan could go on strike if agreements aren’t reached soon with their five parent companies on higher wages, affordable healthcare and staffing...
Athena Health Care paying back staffing agencies, resolving employee insurance claims
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 18, 2023
An embattled New England nursing home provider said it is cooperating with federal regulators over an alleged $6 million in outstanding employee health insurance claims.
Inspector general will review program for poorest performing nursing homes
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Jan 18, 2023
A federal watchdog will conduct a program-wide assessment of how regulators are pressuring poorly performing nursing homes and companies to clean up their act.