AARP clarifies that it has not officially endorsed healthcare bills
Aug 13, 2009
AARP on Tuesday issued a correction to a statement made by President Barack Obama at his town hall meeting earlier that day. It clarified that the seniors advocacy group has not officially backed any healthcare...
CMS: No changes imminent to staffing formula for Five-Star rating
Mar 10, 2009
Federal health officials with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services say they are considering tweaking their new Five-Star nursing home ranking system, but altering the way staffing is graded will...
Impact of proposed spending freeze on healthcare could be smaller than expected
Jan 27, 2010
President Obama is expected to call for a three-year, $250 billion discretionary spending freeze during his State of the Union address tonight. Its effect on healthcare might not be as bad as many think,...
Senate Finance Committee bill ‘a step in the right direction,’ AHCA says
Sep 18, 2009
The American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care on Thursday gave their support to the recently released healthcare reform bill from the Senate Finance Committee. They...
Malpractice caps, required EHRs part of Bush Medicare proposal
Feb 20, 2008
Forced by a mandate in the 2003 Medicare law, the Bush administration has proposed caps for noneconomic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits and a mandate for providers to use electronic health records.
‘Never event’ Medicare reimbursement rules now in effect
Oct 02, 2008
As of this month, Medicare no longer is reimbursing healthcare facilities for “reasonably preventable” medical errors. Also, hospitals are not allowed to charge patients directly for medical...
Fearful of losing even more funding, providers to pressure lawmakers on healthcare reform
Aug 14, 2009
Although it wasn’t unexpected, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ official announcement that it will be cutting $1 billion from nursing home Medicare payments starting Oct. 1 was...
What will it cost you to stay in the post-acute care game?
By
Steven Littlehale
Apr 22, 2015
More than just collecting data, providers need to use standardized, nationally recognized measures. Especially in this era of ACOs and alternative payment models. In the past, many individual providers...
Medicare ‘productivity adjustment’ cuts are not likely to last, panelists say
Aug 10, 2010
Medicare cuts in the form of “productivity adjustments” may not be sustained beyond 10 years and may need to be reversed, a panel of healthcare experts said recently.
Newly appointed Orszag expected to play healthcare reform role
Dec 01, 2008
The recent appointment of Peter Orszag to director of the White House Office of Management and Budget indicates that the Obama administration is serious about controlling the rising costs of healthcare,...