The nursing profession needs teachers. That became increasingly evident this week with public announcements about two new studies. First, from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing: Enrollment...
Brace yourselves for intense card-check battle
By
Liza Berger
Mar 11, 2009
Let the games begin. That was my reaction to the introduction of the card-check legislation on Tuesday. In other words, to throw around a couple more clichés, hold onto your hats and buckle your seat...
A question of word choice: ‘long-term care’ versus ‘long-term services and supports’
By
Liza Berger
Jan 14, 2010
A new phrase appears to be emerging in the lexicon of long-term care. That phrase is “long-term services and supports.” (Notice the omission of the word “care.”)
“How are we doing today, Sweetie?” How would you feel if somebody conversed with you in baby talk? Not very happy, I would assume. Alzheimer’s patients are no different. A new study finds...
Being grateful on Thanksgiving
By
Liza Berger
Nov 25, 2009
Thanksgiving, as its name so states, is a holiday to celebrate gratitude. But thankfulness, as we all know, is not always so easy to muster—especially during these tough financial times. Then again,...
States’ belt tightening worsens Medicaid shortfalls to nursing homes
By
Liza Berger
Dec 09, 2009
Nursing homes have been a casualty of this recession. That is clear from the newly released study about Medicaid rates from accounting firm Eljay LLC.
Private equity’s reckoning
By
Liza Berger
Aug 12, 2020
In my second installment of “Things we can learn from the pandemic,” COVID-19 may force private equity to take a good, hard look at what it is doing in the skilled nursing space.
The attraction of home- and community-based services
By
Liza Berger
Jun 25, 2009
You can’t ignore the signs. A new bill would allow states to use funds for home- and community- based services. A pending proposal would permit states to combine three separate HCBS Medicaid waivers....
Who knew? Repeal of RUG-IV delay in bill one day and out the next
By
Liza Berger
Jul 26, 2010
When crafting legislation, horse trades are a well-established part of the ritual. What’s unfortunate is that many people who have a stake in these deals don’t know about them.
A ‘promising’ new year
By
Liza Berger
Jan 06, 2009
It’s the New Year, otherwise known as resolution time—the season to hit the gym five days a week, read more books and be nicer to your mother-in-law. At least until the end of January, that is. Since...