Long-term care providers selling health insurance? Don’t laugh
By
John O'Connor
Sep 14, 2015
Signature HealthCARE is known as a high-end provider of skilled care services. Starting next month, it will also begin selling health insurance. As unusual as that might seem, it may not be long before...
Chew on this: Obesity rates a challenge
By
John O'Connor
Jul 29, 2013
For any way you slice it, too many of us are lugging around excessive weight. And the problem is only getting worse. In 1962, the nation’s obesity rate was 13%. It now stands at 35.7%, according...
Voters give providers something to worry about
By
John O'Connor
Jun 08, 2012
GOP and Democratic strategists were watching the Wisconsin governorship recall race earlier this week as a possible harbinger of this fall’s presidential election. But that’s a shortsighted...
Days of whine and roses
By
John O'Connor
Jan 16, 2012
We’ve heard much lately about the so-called 99 Percenters. Many in this crowd have made the startling discovery that the nation’s wealthiest people seem to have more money and options.
Ready for some good news, for a change?
By
John O'Connor
Jun 24, 2019
Operators might be forgiven for feeling a bit more tense and morose than usual in these trying days. But believe it or not, there are also pockets of joy to savor.
Long-term care’s angels and devils
By
John O'Connor
Aug 12, 2019
Many things make long-term care unique. For one, you’d be hard pressed to find a sector where angels and devils intermingle so regularly.
And you thought long-term care operators lived in silos?
By
John O'Connor
Apr 20, 2012
Our Founding Fathers were wise to separate our government’s executive, legislative and judicial branches. As we’ve seen all too often, concentrated power leads to disastrous results.
Don’t overlook this new mandate in the PBJ manual
By
John O'Connor
Apr 24, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services inserted an important new requirement in the latest version of its Payroll-Based Journal manual. It’s one of those innocent-looking provisions that are...
Antipsychotics in skilled care: Finding the right dose won’t be easy
By
John O'Connor
Aug 21, 2017
It happens all the time in politics: After dissatisfied voters throw the rascals out, new rascals push back way too hard. Could the same thing happen to the use of antipsychotics in skilled care?
Attention bundled payment critics: Curb your enthusiasm
By
John O'Connor
Jan 09, 2017
A recent study found that bundling Medicare payments can dramatically cut costs without sacrificing quality. But the man likely to be the next Health and Human Services secretary is no fan of this new...