For more than a year, America’s nursing homes have been besieged by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has tragically claimed the lives of more than 130,000 residents and 1,600 staff. While America’s nursing...
HHS nominee emphasizes COVID-19 data reporting
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 25, 2021
President Joe Biden’s pick to be the next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services stressed the importance of states accurately reporting COVID-19 data — with an emphasis on nursing...
More COVID funding for nursing homes a ‘top priority’ for Biden’s pick to be HHS chief
By
Danielle Brown
Feb 24, 2021
Additional COVID-19 relief funding for nursing home providers would be a “top priority” for President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
Nursing home penalties may rise in wake of AARP lawsuit alleging ‘weak’ CMS enforcement, endangered...
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 20, 2021
Nursing home operators should be on high alert for potential rule changes regarding civil monetary penalties after a lawsuit was filed against federal health agencies Sunday that targets a 2017 rule that...
‘Significant ramp-up’ of vaccinations coming for long-term care; AHCA happy with process
By
Danielle Brown
Jan 07, 2021
Vaccination efforts in long-term care facilities are expected to accelerate noticeably in the coming days and weeks, the nation’s top federal health official asserted Wednesday.
Feds mull shortened COVID-19 quarantine period
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 30, 2020
There is “a preponderance of evidence” that a shorter quarantine period, complemented by a COVID-19 test, could effectively prevent transmission of the disease, according to Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant...
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.
Sign-ups start today for feds’ new free COVID-19 vaccine program for nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care providers are being urged to participate in a federal vaccination program that would provide COVID-19 vaccines to residents and staff members with no out-of-pocket costs.
States prohibiting point-of-care COVID-19 testing devices face trouble, HHS warns
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 13, 2020
States that prohibit long-term care providers from using rapid, point-of-care antigen testing devices are in violation of federal law and could face serious consequences from public health authorities,...
Stop antigen testing in skilled nursing facilities, Nevada tells operators
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 09, 2020
Nursing facilities in Nevada have been ordered to stop using COVID-19 rapid antigen tests due to apparent diagnostic inaccuracies. Health officials say they will gather more data before issuing updated...