Projected costs of Medicare’s prescription drug benefit are $117 billion lower than previously estimated, according to a statement from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Costs over the...
New law could affect seniors on Super Tuesday
Jan 31, 2008
Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI), chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, will hold a hearing today to explore how a new law could prevent seniors from voting on Super Tuesday.
Tech toys
Jan 30, 2008
The nation’s top lawmakers are learning more about new monitoring, personal health record and brain fitness technologies for seniors during a special briefing and demonstration today.Senators from...
Governors urge Senate to increase medical assistance to states
Jan 28, 2008
The National Governors Association is fighting alongside the American Health Care Association for an increase in states’ Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) in a new economic stimulus package.
Grassley wants probe into states’ handling of care complaints
Jan 29, 2008
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) has called for a national investigation into the way states handle complaints of poor nursing care. He acted after receiving a serious complaint regarding a nursing/rehab center...
House stimulus bill omits Medicaid pay hike
Jan 25, 2008
Despite pressure from long-term care providers, the House on Thursday reached a tentative agreement with the White House on an economic stimulus bill that does not include a temporary funding increase...
Providers release wish list for 2008 presidential candidates
Jan 16, 2008
Leading long-term care lobbyists appealed to presidential candidates and policy makers Tuesday to adopt industry recommendations to reform payment and post-acute care processes.
Nursing home group dislikes False Claims Act ruling
Jan 02, 2008
A nursing home association and a hospital association have urged the Supreme Court to reverse a decision that loosens restrictions under the False Claims Act.
Shame is powerful motivator
By
John O'Connor
Sep 01, 2007
About a decade ago, I wrote a controversial column that offended some readers. In it, I suggested the industry start policing itself by identifying and reprimanding the bad actors in this field, lest the...