‘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.
With little to show for past efforts, SNFs under the microscope again on readmissions
By
Joe Bush
Oct 27, 2022
A federal watchdog’s announcement this week that it plans to more closely scrutinize “possibly preventable” readmissions of skilled nursing patients to hospitals underscores the federal government’s...
GAO report finds ‘deficiencies’ in HHS’s handling of PHEs
May 15, 2023
Over a decades’ time, these issues have affected the nation’s response not only to COVID-19, but to past public health emergencies including the H1N1 influenza pandemic and extreme weather events...
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.
Federal healthcare fraud initiative will vigorously scrutinize provider claims
Jul 27, 2012
A new federal fraud-fighting initiative will apply increased scrutiny to provider health claims submitted to both government and private payers, government officials announced Thursday.
Reforms could start sooner than one year, Becerra says in ‘monumental’ nursing home meeting
By
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 01, 2022
The federal government will meet or exceed a goal of implementing key nursing home reform measures within a year, Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Wednesday.
HHS enforces early COVID-19 infection control penalties despite ambiguities
By
Norris Cunningham
Angela Rinehart
Jan 21, 2022
Infection control penalties upheld against the facility with the first known COVID-19 outbreak reinforce need for implementation – not just policy.
BREAKING: HHS announces $4.9 billion fund for skilled nursing pandemic efforts
By
James M. Berklan
May 22, 2020
Skilled nursing operators will receive nearly $5 billion in funding from the federal government to fight effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
BREAKING: HHS awards nursing homes $333M in COVID-19 performance rewards
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 28, 2020
Federal authorities announced Wednesday afternoon that they will be distributing about $333 million in first-round performance payments to more than 10,000 nursing homes for their results battling COVID-19.
Administration to shield health workers who refuse to treat transgender patients
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 18, 2018
The Trump administration is expected to institute new protections as soon as this week for healthcare workers who refuse to treat transgender patients or perform other types of care to which they morally...