CMS to lose half of staff in shutdown, full impact on providers uncertain
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 28, 2023
Nursing home providers should not see any interruption in Medicaid and Medicare benefits during a short-term government shutdown, experts and sector observers said as Congress moved closer to the precipice...
Consumers launch initiative to grow nursing home bed capacity in their county
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Aug 30, 2023
A group that began with women frustrated at finding suitable nursing home spots for family members is now partnering with a county health department for an assessment of the community’s skilled nursing...
First state analysis shows mass closures under ‘catastrophic’ federal staffing proposal
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 26, 2023
A proposed federal staffing mandate would force an estimated 4,000 skilled nursing beds out of service in Michigan, according to an analysis by the state’s largest nursing home advocacy group.
Pay increases for physical therapists returning to pre-pandemic levels: report
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 27, 2023
Physical therapists in long-term care facilities received an average pay increase of 3.7% in 2023, which outpaces increases seen in other healthcare settings serving seniors.
Maligned by ‘misperceptions’ and mainstream media, nursing homes reel from low marks in Gallup poll
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 13, 2023
Barely one-quarter of Americans believe that nursing homes are safe environments while fewer than 10% give such facilities high marks for the overall quality of care provided, according to a new Gallup...
In the quest for Medicare patients, Yelp stars outshine Care Compare
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 22, 2023
More consumers are turning to social media review platforms to help choose a nursing home for family members, but the reviews can be skewed by anecdotal and personal evidence, a new study shows.
Nurse aide association calls on feds to raise proposed staffing rule from 3.0 hours per day to 4.2 hours
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Oct 16, 2023
A trade group representing certified nursing assistants wants federal officials to increase the number of direct care hours proposed under a mandatory staffing rule by 40%.
LTC company bucks trend and adds skilled nursing beds
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Sep 14, 2023
While many long-term care facilities are closing skilled nursing wings or decertifying beds, one healthcare company in northeastern Pennsylvania is bucking that trend and adding to its skilled nursing...
Even with its own float pool, this provider is flooded with open nursing positions
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Oct 11, 2023
A Pennsylvania nonprofit long-term care provider recently showed its ingenuity by creating an internal staffing agency, or float pool, to cope with staffing shortages and high temporary agency costs. But...
Meet Phillip Hill, 2024 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards ‘Agent of Change’ honoree
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Apr 26, 2024
When he was studying accounting, Phillip Hill probably never thought his career would include a groundbreaking relationship with Eli Lilly. An administrator for Principle Long Term Care, he partnered with...