You’re not too busy to know this CMS news is good news
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 24, 2017
It’s nice to have friends in high places. Even better if she speaks of clearing regulatory clutter.
Family wins camera case
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 06, 2017
The Minnesota Department of Health ruled against a provider recently in a closely watched case involving a surveillance camera in a resident room.
It’s time to take sides about Obamacare’s future
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 08, 2017
Tuesday’s statement from the American Health Care Association on Republicans’ plan to repeal and replace Obamacare was striking. There was no walking a tightrope or mealy-mouthed ambiguity...
Occupancy rates at epic lows
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 05, 2017
The occupancy picture did not improve for skilled nursing or assisted living facilities in the fourth quarter of 2016.
The heart of the matter with advanced directives and why you need to push more for them
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 19, 2017
In their most crass interpretation, advance directives can save the healthcare system a lot of money. At their most heartfelt, they can reduce a lot of pain and suffering. They also are the essence of...
Trump’s CMS pick can expect tough choices: predecessors
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 06, 2017
President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Seema Verma, was praised by providers. But she will face tough choices immediately, a previous CMS administrator...
Historic effort underway to build future generation of aging services leaders
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 21, 2016
Federal lawmakers often seem to look down on aging care professionals, but it might not be long before they’re looking up to them to learn how to get things done.
Sports memorabilia — the next Alzheimer’s aid?
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 15, 2016
“Take me back to the ballgame.” It’s not my line, nor Riverdale’s, though we both wish it was.
Kindred quits: dumping SNFs
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 06, 2016
Kindred Healthcare Inc., which operated more than 200 nursing homes less than a decade ago, is pulling the plug on its skilled nursing facilities.
The politics of why long-term care leaders are smiling
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 30, 2016
Sometimes when things go wrong, they’re right. Oh, so right. That’s the position long-term care professionals now find themselves in — or at least hope they do.