The Obama administration has determined that we will be able to supply healthcare to several million additional people without increasing the cost of doing so, and with no plan in place to increase the...
Preserving the status quo costs more than ever
By
John O'Connor
Nov 16, 2012
As $6 billion investments go, the 2012 presidential and Congressional races didn’t deliver much of a return. Except, of course, for people who like to spend money in order to keep things the way...
When it comes to paying for long-term care, public and private options can both fail
By
John O'Connor
Oct 07, 2013
What happened last week in Washington was not exactly highlight reel material. That is, unless you want to showcase public sector dysfunction.
Federal proposal would permanently expand some Medicare telehealth services
By
Danielle Brown
Jun 15, 2021
Medicare nursing home residents would keep their access to some telehealth flexibilities adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic long after the public health crisis is over under a new proposal from a bipartisan...
The overlooked elephant in the room
By
John O'Connor
Jan 11, 2021
Almost lost amid the chaos and carnage depicted when an angry mob descended on the U.S. Capitol last week was a development that may affect long-term care more directly.
Push for therapy caps’ elimination takes on new urgency
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 02, 2018
Several therapy associations Thursday called on Congress to permanently end Medicare Part B caps on physical, speech and occupational therapy by adding language to a funding measure expected next week.
It’s pretty clear what they’re really committed to
By
John O'Connor
Jul 17, 2015
It was quite a week for ironic juxtaposition in the nation’s capital.
Action-packed 2010 awaits nursing homes
By
Liza Berger
Dec 31, 2009
Ah, the New Year. As much as many of us try to downplay it, the holiday carries an undeniable host of expectations. While I can’t pretend I know how to read tea leaves, my prediction is that the...
Nipping improper Medicare payments in the bud
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 15, 2016
Does the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services need its own Barney Fife to set its house in order? Some seem to think so.
Feds: ACO regulations will tie quality to savings
Apr 01, 2011
Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services released long awaited proposed accountable care regulations yesterday, estimating it could save Medicare millions over the next...