Providers still can’t limit surveyor access or ask for proof of COVID vaccination, CMS says
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 15, 2021
Long-term care facilities are not allowed to restrict access to surveyors based on their vaccination status or ask them for proof of vaccination as a condition of entry, according to updated guidance from...
UPDATED: Healthcare worker vaccine mandate back on for 26 states
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 16, 2021
Long-term care providers in 26 states will still have to comply with a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate after a federal appeals court on Wednesday reversed a nationwide block against the rule.
1 in 8 nursing home workers have completed COVID-19 training program, CMS says
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 18, 2020
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is calling for more nursing home staff members to complete its new training program designed to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
CMS withholds another $1-plus million over vaccine mandate compliance
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 14, 2022
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has withheld $1.2 million in funding from Florida over the state’s refusal to monitor facilities ability to meet the federal COVID-19 vaccine requirement...
Feds must deliver immediate $5 wage increase, relief payments for LTC workers, top provider group warns
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 25, 2022
The nation’s second largest nursing home association is demanding the Biden administration “immediate relief” for aging services providers that would include a $5 per hour wage increase and a one-time...
Operator changes plan: will wait for full FDA approval to enforce COVID vaccination deadline for staff
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 10, 2021
An Ohio skilled nursing and assisted living operator now plans to wait until the COVID-19 vaccinations receive full federal approval before enforcing its inoculation mandate on employees after listening...
Florida providers are working toward complying with the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate — despite Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) pledge that the state won’t enforce the regulation.
State providing staffing support in mandate’s wake, despite critical media reports
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 08, 2021
New York officials are “proactively working” with long-term care providers experiencing staffing shortages tied to the pandemic and the state’s new COVID-19 vaccination mandate, according to a top...
$800M to improve staffing, infection control under latest draft of Build Back Better
By
Danielle Brown
Dec 16, 2021
Nearly $1 billion in grant funding aimed at helping long-term care providers improve wages and benefits, as well as infection control efforts, is on the table in the Senate’s latest version of the Build...
Keeping workers will be biggest struggle for nursing homes as pandemic persists, national policy expert...
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 30, 2020
Workforce challenges that have plagued long-term care operators during the coronavirus pandemic will get worse as the crisis further progresses this year, one of the nation’s top health policy analysts...