Five-star nursing home rating system kicks off with controversy
Dec 18, 2008
The head of one provider organization reacted negatively Wednesday to the way the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has handled the launch of a new five-star rating system for nursing homes. The...
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,...
AHCA pressures CMS, lawmakers to wait on ‘five-star’ rating system
Nov 25, 2008
The pending “five-star” nursing home rating system should be delayed because it would not accurately reflect the quality of the nation’s nursing homes, the American Health Care Association...
Obama wins: New president favors long-term care financing reform
Nov 05, 2008
Democratic candidate Barack Obama last night was elected the next president of the United States. His proposals for long-term care include financing reform.
Experts favor new payment system rewarding higher quality and more efficient care
Nov 04, 2008
A new survey of healthcare leaders finds that almost all feel the current healthcare payment system is fundamentally flawed and must be reformed. An overwhelming majority favor bonuses for high-quality...
Urge Congress to pass stimulus package, former senator tells policy experts
Nov 03, 2008
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey told a panel of state and federal long-term care policy experts to push Congress to pass a stimulus package before the new Congress convenes.
Study: Medicare pay-for-performance penalizes hospitals that treat more elderly patients
Oct 22, 2008
Hospitals that serve large groups of the elderly, poor, African-American or female patients tend to be ranked lower than hospitals with healthier, younger clientele under the Medicare pay-for-performance...
Candidates, lawmakers vow healthcare reform will occur, despite financial upheaval
Oct 17, 2008
The current global financial crisis will not prevent the next Congress or president from making healthcare reforms, key leaders are saying.
Medicaid reform pilot to enhance choices confuses beneficiaries
Oct 17, 2008
A Florida pilot program designed to give Medicare beneficiaries more choice and control concerning their healthcare plans has led to more confusion than anything else, according to a recent review by the...
Supplemental compliance program guidance available for nursing facilities
Oct 13, 2008
The Office of Inspector General has supplemented 2000 compliance program guidance for nursing facilities.