Merck to seek emergency use for COVID-19 antiviral pill that cuts severe outcomes by 50 percent
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 04, 2021
Molnupiravir has reduced COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations by half in a new clinical trial. An orally delivered drug could offer unprecedented treatment convenience, the drug’s developers say.
Now-open portal provides path to additional Provider Relief Funds
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 01, 2021
Long-term care operators can now begin applying for a share of $25.5 billion in COVID-19 relief money after the application portal for Phase 4 Provider Relief Fund and rural payments opened on Wednesday.
Lawmakers want $4 billion nursing home compensation fund, extended statute of limitations
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 01, 2021
New York lawmakers want to establish a $4 billion compensation fund, similar to the one formed after the Sept. 11 attacks, for families of nursing home residents who died of COVID-19 during the pandemic.
Operators ‘reluctant to terminate’ workers as state vaccine deadline hits
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 30, 2021
The ongoing workforce shortage is pushing New York long-term care providers to be flexible with workers still hesitant about getting the COVID-19 vaccine even after the state’s healthcare worker mandate...
Suspended doctor who freely signed COVID vaccination and mask waivers being investigated
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 30, 2021
Workers at Connecticut long-term care facilities now find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the state and a suspended doctor accused of freely handing COVID-19 vaccine and mask exemptions...
FDA may authorize half-dose booster of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine
By
Alicia Lasek
Sep 30, 2021
A 50-microgram dose appears to be effective enough to increase waning vaccine protection, and may reduce the risk of side effects, sources tell investigators.
Feds pledge fraud enforcement surge, while others seek whistleblowers
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 29, 2021
Skilled nursing providers will remain in the crosshairs as fraud enforcement picks up post-COVID, but it’s not just federal officials taking aim, according to one of the government’s top healthcare...
Unauthorized nursing home COVID tests lead to audit demands
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 29, 2021
State lawmakers are questioning the Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment’s decision to use unauthorized COVID-19 tests in nursing homes despite provider warnings about the equipment’s...
Unvaccinated workers at nursing homes could be replaced by National Guard, official says
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 28, 2021
New York officials plan to turn to the National Guard to help keep nursing homes fully staffed after the state’s broad vaccine mandate kicked in for healthcare workers Monday.
Providers can apply for both relief funding, rural payments
By
Danielle Brown
Sep 28, 2021
Eligible long-term care facilities will be able to apply for both Phase 4 Provider Relief Funds and rural COVID-19 relief payments, according to new details released by the Health Resources and Services...