Universal healthcare plan reintroduced in the House
Jul 11, 2008
As time winds down on the president’s tenure, U.S. Representative Debbie Schultz (D-FL) has begun to build support for universal healthcare.
CMS researches Medicare Advantage plan costs
Mar 03, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has begun collecting more information on Medicare Advantage plans and cost-sharing policies in response to a report issued last Thursday by the Government Accountability...
Nursing home group dislikes False Claims Act ruling
Jan 02, 2008
A nursing home association and a hospital association have urged the Supreme Court to reverse a decision that loosens restrictions under the False Claims Act.
Shame is powerful motivator
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2007
About a decade ago, I wrote a controversial column that offended some readers. In it, I suggested the industry start policing itself by identifying and reprimanding the bad actors in this field, lest the...
Kohl pushes for IT funding for long-term care in economic stimulus package
Jan 28, 2009
The economic stimulus package legislation in the Senate now includes information technology funding for long-term care facilities and nursing homes. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI) successfully amended the bill...
Some believe Kennedy’s absence from Washington may affect outcome of healthcare reform
Jun 11, 2009
While Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) is considered the architect of the Affordable Health Choices Act bill, he was not on Capitol Hill when the pivotal bill was introduced Tuesday. Some wonder if his notable...
Officials give nursing homes new help to avert fraud and abuse
Oct 01, 2008
Health officials on Tuesday issued new voluntary guidelines for nursing homes to help them avert fraud and abuse in Medicaid, Medicare and other federal healthcare programs. The 17-page long document was...
Legislation to boost caregiving workforce introduced
Jan 15, 2009
Members of both the House and Senate Wednesday introduced The Retooling the Health Care Workforce for an Aging America Act, a bill that would seek to bolster the healthcare industry against an expected...
Obama to be sworn in today, healthcare high on his agenda
Jan 20, 2009
Today at noon, Barack Hussein Obama will be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president. While many tasks immediately await the new commander-in-chief, Obama has said that healthcare reform remains near...
Sebelius faces tough questions on healthcare during confirmation hearing for HHS post
Apr 01, 2009
Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) told lawmakers Tuesday that she would not rule out using the budget reconciliation process as a way to pass healthcare reform legislation. She answered questions during...