The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services brought out its equivalent of a brass band and confetti machine Tuesday to tout a new provider payment strategy. One could almost hear strains of “Happy...
‘We pretend to work and they pretend to pay’
By
John O'Connor
Mar 29, 2021
During the ‘70s, Soviet workers had a saying that revealed a fundamental flaw in their economic system: “We pretend to work and they pretend to pay.”
Is long-term care about to flip off old habits?
By
John O'Connor
Nov 02, 2020
When I hear about innovation in long-term care, I sometimes have to stifle a chuckle.
OSHA has your back – for now
By
John O'Connor
Jul 20, 2020
It’s no secret that most operators have been struggling lately. The coronavirus has hammered this field in almost every way possible. Thousands of residents and staff have perished, with the prospect...
Our new health secretary is making big plans, at your expense
By
John O'Connor
Feb 13, 2017
On Friday, Dr. Tom Price was sworn in as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Long-term care operators should cast a wary eye toward the new HHS boss for two reasons: Medicaid and...
Active-shooter tips from a survivor — how to respond ‘when seconds count’
By
Jul 25, 2017
Betty Brunner was sitting down to an appointment at her hair stylist one morning and the next thing she knew, she was diving for the floor, trying to avoid a crazed gunman. Brunner miraculously escaped...
The heart of it all and the birth of redeeming ideas
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 05, 2021
You had to look only in one place for a pair of fascinating long-term care stories this week.
The Russ era begins
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 09, 2013
Barring a shocker that would be akin to Uncle Sam suddenly handing out a double-digit market basket increase to Medicare reimbursement rates, Len Russ will become the next board chairman of the American...
You say unions don’t actually help workers?
By
John O'Connor
Jun 19, 2022
Many long-term care providers will happily explain why union representation continues to slide nationwide, and especially in the facilities they operate.
Time for some Halloween magic — senior style
By
Oct 26, 2017
It’s recently come to my attention that some people haven’t seen the greatest Halloween movie of all time. No, it’s not a slasher flick or anything that relies too heavily on jump scares....