When I was a child, I had various non-life-threatening medical problems. Any treatment involved a lengthy discussion with my healthcare provider. Which is why I started laughing when I came across an example...
What’s happening in the Senate is no thing of beauty
By
John O'Connor
Jul 17, 2017
When it comes to the Senate’s latest healthcare bill, providers have unloaded many valid criticisms of it. Sadly, they may be irrelevant. It’s easy to get so caught up in this legislation’s...
Is Donald Trump a friend or foe of long-term care?
By
John O'Connor
Feb 06, 2017
There’s an old saying in Chicago politics: Once you’re bought, stay bought. In other words, if you are being paid to behave a certain way, don’t flip-flop. Those who would like to think...
Getting to the teeth of the matter
By
John O'Connor
Jan 30, 2017
“I have a bone to pick with you,” proclaimed the indignant voice on the other line. In my experience, conversations that begin with that invitation seldom go well.
Do the safety dance
By
Jul 19, 2016
Imagine for a moment that the long-term care industry came with a set of commandments. I’m talking carved in stone, universally accepted tenets for providers. What would rank as number one? Mine...
Technology troubles hitting close
By
Sep 07, 2015
We like to assume that healthcare workers are a trustworthy bunch, especially when they’re entrusted with caring for people’s’ loved ones. But manipulation of data, from patients’...
Will 29-hour workweeks be the new normal in long-term care?
By
John O'Connor
Oct 21, 2013
We’ve been hearing a lot lately about problems uninsured people are having with health exchanges. But not much is being reported about a different kind of exchange many long-term care managers might...
Shamelessly invoice at your own risk
By
John O'Connor
Mar 22, 2013
Here’s the good news for providers: new analytics are making it possible to understand and bill your care in ways that would have been impossible just a few years ago. Here’s the bad news:...
Supervisor decision might torment many nursing home operators
By
John O'Connor
Dec 03, 2012
The Supreme Court last week heard oral arguments on the unpleasant subject of workplace harassment. At issue is whether an employer is responsible when the bully is not strictly a boss. The court’s...
Regardless of fiscal cliff outcome, funding cuts loom
By
John O'Connor
Nov 26, 2012
We’re hearing much out of Washington these days about the looming fiscal cliff. Assessments about its impact run the gamut from no big deal to very big deal. As is usually the case, the truth is...