President Obama delivered his third State of the Union address Tuesday night. I’ll let the professional scorekeepers decide whether his hour-long presentation was up to code. My take is that the...
Beware the labor pains of March
By
John O'Connor
Mar 04, 2024
The latest piece being pulled from the Jenga tower that is long-term care comes in the form of a new labor rule that kicks in one week from today (on March 11).
Judged by the company we keep
By
John O'Connor
Jan 25, 2021
I was reminded of one of my mother’s wise assessments last week while reading about two businessmen from our field who had a problem following rules.
Nursing facilities might soon face another unfair burden
By
John O'Connor
Oct 12, 2019
I am opposed to forcing skilled care operators to pay for a problem caused by another entity., which is exactly what will happen if an otherwise well-intended bill becomes law in its current form.
Tax bill reveals a great divide in long-term care
By
John O'Connor
Dec 04, 2017
One of the more interesting aspects of the epic battle over the tax reform bill has been this sector’s response. One major long-term care organization continues to blast proposed changes while the...
Reducing seniors’ drug use, one iPod at a time
By
John O'Connor
Mar 28, 2014
For reasons that are understandable yet hard to countenance, antipsychotic drugs are widely used in nursing homes. Too often over-used, according to government statistics. But it’s beginning to look...
Might there be a drug company in your future?
By
John O'Connor
Sep 13, 2018
If you want to know what skilled care will look like in five years, consider what hospitals look like today.
No wonder he left Congress
By
John O'Connor
Oct 30, 2023
If it seems like it’s the silly season again in Washington, maybe that’s because it is.
It’s time frivolous lawsuit filers were held more accountable
By
John O'Connor
Nov 18, 2013
Not all the news out of Congress these days is bad. Last week, the House passed long-overdue legislation that fines plaintiffs who file frivolous lawsuits.
A Biden damaging proposal that’s barely getting noticed
By
John O'Connor
Mar 13, 2022
President Biden sure gave nursing homes the stink eye during his State of the Union address. Care quality is down while charges are up, he alleged. He added that Medicare rules need to be tightened