16 bills in healthcare package, but little to show for nursing homes
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Apr 20, 2023
As lawmakers in Nebraska this week moved forward with 16 bills devoted to shoring up the state’s largely rural healthcare system, one sector went mostly unaddressed.
State’s 52nd nursing home shutdown extends staggering loss of nursing home beds
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Apr 13, 2023
Kansas hit a dubious milestone recently with the 52nd nursing home either shutting down entirely or taking beds offline since the beginning of the pandemic.
Concerns continue after CMS delays staffing rule unveiling
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 07, 2023
Skilled nursing providers who had readied themselves for the unveiling of a national staffing mandate as part of the 2024 pay rule were left reading the tea leaves this week after federal regulators delayed...
State’s new workforce law could be national model to solve SNF staffing problems
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 28, 2023
A new law in Kentucky could serve as a national model to help stem the workforce crisis in nursing homes through public-private partnerships to fund education programs for more nurses and aides.
Providers warn 2000 percent hike in H-1B visa fee would hurt recruitment
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 09, 2023
National and state long-term care employers have been screaming alarms for months about a dire labor shortage at nursing homes, but a proposed “dramatic” increase in immigration costs could add to...
Florida bill would narrow wrongful death lawsuits against nursing homes
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 09, 2023
Nursing home operators in Florida could see the prospects of wrongful death lawsuits slashed under legislation making its way through the House and Senate.
State weighing ‘living wage’ for all nursing home workers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 01, 2023
Companion bills moving through the Massachusetts House and Senate would require that MassHealth — the state’s Medicaid program — reimburse facilities enough to pay all employees a “living wage.”
State’s nursing home staffing bonuses will reward even low performers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 27, 2023
In a creative new reward plan being heralded nationwide by many providers, California will pay bonuses to all nursing homes that hire additional staff, reduce turnover, or improve the quality of care —...
Nursing home lawsuit: Management company diverted $1.8 million in COVID relief funds
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 24, 2023
Nursing homes can be attractive targets for prosecutors looking for COVID fraud, but aggressive enforcement policies may make it difficult for “good actors” to conduct business, legal observers cautioned...
‘Strong evidence’ more immigrant caregivers improve nursing home quality: researchers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 22, 2023
Better federal policies to increase the number of immigrants working in nursing homes could help providers get over the hump in meeting expected new staffing requirements, new research shows.