For-profit nursing homes are ‘worst performers’ in new COVID-19 analysis
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 19, 2021
For-profit nursing homes were 18% less effective in controlling COVID-19 infections than non-profit or government-run facilities in 2020, according to an analysis of federal data published Thursday by...
Senate bill to block nursing home staffing mandate introduced
By
Kimberly Marselas
Dec 06, 2023
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) officially introduced a bill late Tuesday aiming to block the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from implementing its proposed nursing home staffing mandate.
Link Medicaid hikes to worker pay to promote staff equity, researchers say
By
Kimberly Marselas
Feb 08, 2022
Tying increases in state Medicaid rates to wages would be an important way to address the disproportionate representation of Black women in long-term care’s lowest paying positions, say researchers...
‘Historic’ hatches hisses: Providers lambaste state’s costly new staffing proposal
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jul 22, 2021
A call to increase minimum direct staffing hours 4.1 per patient, per day was roundly rejected as unrealistic by providers.
Nursing homes can’t compete if the data doesn’t stack up, experts warn
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 25, 2022
Data that puts operations and expenses in perspective is more critical than ever, with skilled nursing providers facing more competition for both patients and workers.
Concerns continue after CMS delays staffing rule unveiling
By
Jessica R. Towhey
Kimberly Marselas
Apr 07, 2023
Skilled nursing providers who had readied themselves for the unveiling of a national staffing mandate as part of the 2024 pay rule were left reading the tea leaves this week after federal regulators delayed...
Nursing homes reveal widespread emergency planning barriers in new OIG report
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 06, 2023
More than three-quarters of US nursing homes in areas at high risk for natural disasters face significant challenges in preparing for them, estimates a new federal report issued early Wednesday.
MedPAC to recommend 3 percent skilled nursing cut to Congress
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 13, 2023
A Congressional advisory commission on Thursday recommended a 3% cut to Medicare base payments for skilled nursing facilities in 2024.
New nurse concierge program adds clinical prowess, staff relief
By
Kimberly Marselas
Aug 22, 2022
A new clinical concierge program is bringing extra support to skilled nursing and rehab patients and offering some relief for overtaxed frontline staff at a growing number of Mid-Atlantic facilities.
Staffing ‘instability’ might be new mandate metric; providers gear up for battle
By
Kimberly Marselas
Jan 11, 2023
Average day-to-day staffing levels may be a key way to measure impact on nursing home care quality, a new study finds as federal regulators move closer to their goal of a proposed staffing mandate.