The voice on the other end of the phone was as crisp as ever, the wisecracks as sharp as before. But just a few minutes after talking to Bruce Yarwood, it was clear this was a different man.
Editor’s Desk: It’s been a big year (even without healthcare system reform)
By
James M. Berklan
Dec 01, 2009
You better believe healthcare reform would be important to the long-term care community, no matter how many or few times the phrase “long-term care” might actually appear in any Congressional...
The time of year for a ‘prevent’ defense
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 23, 2009
Amid the work on long-term care reform, legislators passed a welcome bit of legislation on falls prevention.
Editor’s Desk: A proposal that could hit you like an (I)MAC truck
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 01, 2009
We can forgive providers if they sense a bit of vertigo coming on. When legislators look to give back power, up truly must seem like down and down seem like up.
Editor’s Desk: Competing interests may foil plans for true reform
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2009
I thought of the parable of the rabbit and the snake when contemplating the flurry of healthcare reform banter taking place before U.S. lawmakers’ August recess.
House releases new plans for healthcare
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 01, 2009
Three House committees officially released their version of healthcare reform legislation in mid-July, meeting a deadline requested by President Obama and igniting a firestorm of debate.
Why are Medicare cuts bad? Industry has a billion reasons
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2009
Billions of dollars worth of unintended costs and consequences could be the fallout if the government follows through with a proposal to cut Medicare payments by $1.05 billion next year, nursing home advocates...
Editor’s Desk: A cash incentive test program for nursing homes in four states could shape your...
By
James M. Berklan
May 01, 2009
Little things like pirates taking Americans hostage off the coast of Africa, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the credit and housing markets crises have knocked long-term care out of the evening newscast,...
Providers catch big break as MDS 3.0 gets one-year delay
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2009
Nursing homes have an extra year to prepare for MDS 3.0 after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services disclosed it would delay implementing the program overhaul until October 2010.
Labor, business gird for card-check fight
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 01, 2009
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress introduced union-friendly card-check bills in early March, setting off a war of words that is likely to continue during the months ahead.