State threatens under-occupied facilities with another rate cut
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 02, 2023
A new bill threatens to cut administrative payments to Connecticut nursing homes that cannot maintain 90% occupancy, even as the national skilled nursing average hovers around 75%.
State weighing ‘living wage’ for all nursing home workers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Mar 01, 2023
Companion bills moving through the Massachusetts House and Senate would require that MassHealth — the state’s Medicaid program — reimburse facilities enough to pay all employees a “living wage.”
State’s nursing home staffing bonuses will reward even low performers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 27, 2023
In a creative new reward plan being heralded nationwide by many providers, California will pay bonuses to all nursing homes that hire additional staff, reduce turnover, or improve the quality of care —...
‘More must be done’ by providers for emergency prep: Senate report
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 24, 2023
Massive power failures and widespread evacuations caused by severe weather should be taken as a “warning sign” that US nursing homes remain unprepared for emergencies and the coming effects of climate...
Nursing homes reimagine frontline roles, seek smoother regulatory pathways
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 22, 2023
In the wake of a historic shortage of nurses and assistants, America’s nursing homes have been forced to get creative when it comes to hiring, scheduling and retaining workers.
‘Strong evidence’ more immigrant caregivers improve nursing home quality: researchers
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 22, 2023
Better federal policies to increase the number of immigrants working in nursing homes could help providers get over the hump in meeting expected new staffing requirements, new research shows.
Department of Labor rule will impact long-term care staffing
By
Tony Braswell
Feb 21, 2023
A proposal from the U.S. Department of Labor would impact long-term care providers and other organizations that rely on temporary workers to meet their staffing needs. The proposed rule, which is...
‘Creativity just isn’t enough’ to cover costs of care without more pay, alarmed nursing home leaders...
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Feb 21, 2023
Creative ideas to entice more workers to Iowa’s nursing homes will not solve the labor shortfall and wage issues unless lawmakers increase funding to match the cost of care, providers and advocates said.
OIG signals new focus on nursing homes
By
Neville M. Bilimoria
Feb 17, 2023
The federal Office of Inspector General recently published its “OIG’s Top Unimplemented Recommendations: Solutions To Reduce Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in HHS Programs.” In the 94-page document,...
Immigration reemerges as workforce solution in scattershot Senate hearing
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 17, 2023
An overwhelmed healthcare workforce, the implications of ongoing shortages and fears about a stressed pipeline took center stage during a Senate hearing Thursday.