Provider input sought for reform-driven quality strategy
Sep 17, 2010
The Department of Health and Human Services is seeking input from nursing homes, hospitals and other healthcare providers on a proposed National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan.
Senate bill would delay start date of RUG-IV by one year
Jan 15, 2010
A provision in the Senate healthcare reform proposal would delay by one year implementation of version four of the Resource Utilization Group (RUG-IV).
Minnix expects Senate to include CLASS Act in healthcare reform bill
Nov 11, 2009
The president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging feels confident that the CLASS Act will make it into a final healthcare reform bill.
AARP clarifies that it has not officially endorsed healthcare bills
Aug 13, 2009
AARP on Tuesday issued a correction to a statement made by President Barack Obama at his town hall meeting earlier that day. It clarified that the seniors advocacy group has not officially backed any healthcare...
House reform provision stirs controversy over end-of-life decision making
Jul 24, 2009
One provision of the House healthcare reform legislation has garnered criticism from New York state’s former lieutenant governor. She argues it would encourage the premature deaths of the elderly...
Impact of proposed spending freeze on healthcare could be smaller than expected
Jan 27, 2010
President Obama is expected to call for a three-year, $250 billion discretionary spending freeze during his State of the Union address tonight. Its effect on healthcare might not be as bad as many think,...
Senate Finance Committee bill ‘a step in the right direction,’ AHCA says
Sep 18, 2009
The American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care on Thursday gave their support to the recently released healthcare reform bill from the Senate Finance Committee. They...
House adopts CLASS Act; ‘red flags’ rule bill stalls in Senate committee
Oct 30, 2009
The House of Representatives has decided to include the Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act, a voluntary long-term care insurance program, in its healthcare reform bill.
Fearful of losing even more funding, providers to pressure lawmakers on healthcare reform
Aug 14, 2009
Although it wasn’t unexpected, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ official announcement that it will be cutting $1 billion from nursing home Medicare payments starting Oct. 1 was...
Medicare ‘productivity adjustment’ cuts are not likely to last, panelists say
Aug 10, 2010
Medicare cuts in the form of “productivity adjustments” may not be sustained beyond 10 years and may need to be reversed, a panel of healthcare experts said recently.