All nursing homes should have POC testing devices by end of September
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 27, 2020
About 5,600 point-of-care testing devices have been shipped to nursing homes so far, a top federal official revealed this week.
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...
HHS wants input on obstacles facing faith-based providers
By
Nov 02, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services wants to hear from faith-based healthcare providers about any challenges or obstacles they face participating in federal healthcare programs, according to a...
Sebelius defends Medicare panel
Jun 27, 2011
In an editorial published on Politico.com, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius defended the Affordable Care Act’s controversial Independent Payment Advisory Board, which critics...
HHS extends coverage for COVID-19 screening at nursing homes
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 01, 2020
Nursing homes in states that prohibit the use of point-of-care COVID-19 tests to screen for the disease can now do so after the Department of Health and Human Services extended coverage to include congregate...
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...
HHS Secretary: Expect tweaks to nursing home rating system
Mar 18, 2010
The nation’s first nursing home rating system is an important tool for consumers, but changes can be expected, said the country’s highest health official on Tuesday. Health and Human Services...
Feds ramp up COVID-19 testing efforts at nursing homes with release of 750k more POC supplies
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 09, 2020
Nursing homes in areas with the high COVID-19 positivity rates will be receiving another point-of-care testing option from the federal government starting next week.
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,...
Specifics of point-of-care COVID-19 testing coming to all U.S. nursing homes; providers welcome move
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 15, 2020
The federal government’s plan to provide “point-of-care” COVID-19 tests to every single U.S. nursing home is “welcome news for long-term care residents, staff and providers.”