Former US House Speaker Paul Ryan recently pointed out that Congress has a clear ability to block a federal nursing home staffing mandate — if it has the collective will to do so.
Managers at Veterans facility ruled immune from COVID prosecution, appeals court affirms
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 30, 2023
A federal appeals court has reaffirmed a decision that released top managers at a state-run long-term care facility from liability in a worker’s lawsuit alleging his constitutional rights to a safe workplace...
Congress should pass this provider-endorsed Medicare bill, and then go further
By
James M. Berklan
Aug 11, 2023
Despite today’s hyper-partisan divisions, there’s one nursing home-focused measure that should be a slam dunk among members of both major political parties.
‘Unnecessary, irresponsible’ 3-day hospitalization rule must go, nursing home association tells Congress
By
James M. Berklan
Feb 17, 2023
a major aging services association is calling for an end to the 58-year-old rule requiring a three-day inpatient hospital stay as a precondition for Medicare coverage of a nursing home stay.
National Emergency will end early. What that means for providers
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 31, 2023
This week’s congressional vote to end the National Emergency designation early left providers uncertain.
The waiting is the hardest part
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 27, 2023
If you have sensed any of the skilled nursing leaders of note around you are displaying a blue-ish tint lately, it’s probably pretty simple to figure out why.
The minimum staffing cloud looms. Will any sunlight shine through?
By
James M. Berklan
Oct 26, 2022
As the leaves start to fall in many parts of the US, so has something else: Hope that a rule establishing minimum staffing levels in nursing homes won’t come to happen in spring.
When long-term care becomes a slugfest
By
James M. Berklan
Sep 06, 2023
If you ever want to see something really wrong, just watch two sides fight when both think they’re really right. It usually isn’t pretty.
Time to ask the tough question: Are you ready for the big O?
By
James M. Berklan
Jan 05, 2023
“Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be,” Lincoln is quoted as saying. As long-term care heads into 2023, it’s more apropos than ever.
White House to extend PHE designation through April, reports say
By
James M. Berklan
Nov 14, 2022
The federal government will extend the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration until at least April, according to published reports.