Some disturbing news appeared last week in The Wall Street Journal. The highly respected newspaper found that nursing homes are evicting long-term, frail residents—many on Medicaid—to make room for...
God help providers accused of religious discrimination
By
John O'Connor
Aug 15, 2014
There was a time when reading Gary Larson’s “The Far Side” was an essential part of my daily routine. Yes, the now-defunct strip was a bit quirky, but it was almost always good for a...
Is it the docs’ turn to get stoned?
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 25, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services brought out its equivalent of a brass band and confetti machine Tuesday to tout a new provider payment strategy. One could almost hear strains of “Happy...
Promising signs on the regulatory front
By
John O'Connor
Oct 16, 2017
President Trump is no fan of regulations, and long-term care operators have more than their fair share to contend with. So it’s a welcome breeze when Trump says he wants to start eliminating some...
Why nursing homes won’t be catching many breaks this year
By
John O'Connor
Feb 03, 2014
When you talk to experts in this field about the year ahead, an unsettling pattern soon emerges. Almost everyone seems fairly confident that regulators will be taking a much closer look at operators.
An easy way to reduce antibiotics
By
Elizabeth Newman
Jan 30, 2014
It is tempting to run to my internist and beg for an antibiotic to stem what could be a sinus infection, but is more likely, much like the polar vortex, a cold that won’t go away. I was reminded...
Public reactions to healthcare reform depressing, disturbing
By
Liza Berger
Aug 19, 2009
I can’t help but cheer some comments Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) made on Tuesday. In his brash way of speaking, he summed up my sentiments exactly. On Tuesday during a town-hall meeting in his state,...
Come for the bargain prices, stay for your annual review
By
John O'Connor
Apr 02, 2018
Do you want to work for Walmart? You might not have a choice some day soon.
What if the guy with the flying reindeer were disabled?
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 17, 2015
There is something oddly juxtaposed about so many Americans cheerfully reaching out to a jolly, obese man in a red suit at this time of year. Good thing he isn’t ill or disabled and in need of skilled...
Revisiting housing and care for the mentally ill
By
Liza Berger
Jul 01, 2009
A story this week sheds new light on the challenge of providing care and housing for the mentally ill. As McKnight’s reported today, the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a mental law advocacy group,...