Healthcare reform, especially the expansion of Medicaid, will bring into focus the fragility of the safety net. This is a system that is for vulnerable seniors, but which has not been adequately financed.
10,000 lakes and one less nursing home: Spotlight on a facility closure
By
Tim Mullaney
Dec 10, 2013
Minnesota appears to be on the ball when it comes to long-term care. It regularly rates at or near the top when states are ranked on LTC services. Yet, Minnesota also is on the leading edge of a more troublesome...
When it comes to paying for long-term care, public and private options can both fail
By
John O'Connor
Oct 07, 2013
What happened last week in Washington was not exactly highlight reel material. That is, unless you want to showcase public sector dysfunction.
Nursing home operators get a little respect
By
James M. Berklan
Jul 18, 2013
Attitude determines altitude. You make your breaks. People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be. They’re all somewhat overused yet admirable sayings people live by. Nursing home operators...
Taking care of Medicare and Medicaid’s dual-eligibles: A job for Super- , er, Ombudsman
By
Tim Mullaney
Jul 16, 2013
Giving long-term care stakeholders a reason to cheer, California recently requested a federal waiver to implement Cal MedConnect, a demonstration project meant to improve care coordination for people who...
When it comes to free Medicaid dollars, some governors in a state of denial
By
John O'Connor
Jun 10, 2013
Under a newly expanded Medicaid program option, states stand to reap billions of dollars in what amounts to free money. Much of this could go toward better resident care. But some governors can’t...
There’s no place like the county nursing home
By
Elizabeth Newman
May 16, 2013
Whether you are an employee, resident, citizen or member of another group, you can learn from the lessons I’ve learned while exhaustively investigating a story about running and saving county nursing...
Yes, Medicaid caps really are a terrible idea
By
John O'Connor
Apr 29, 2013
OK kids, time for an unannounced pop quiz. Here goes: How do Medicaid caps differ from New Coke, Sarbanes-Oxley and hands-free lawnmowers? The other three bad ideas were actually carried out
Of Purell and payment reform
By
Tim Mullaney
Apr 16, 2013
I was sympathetic when the Partnership for Sustainable Health Care called for a speedier shift away from fee-for-service last week — and I also thought about Purell. Yes, that Purell.
Accepting Medicaid residents can be a winning strategy for assisted living
By
Kevin Tholke
Mar 25, 2013
On a macro level, expanding Medicaid reimbursement for assisted living will result in higher demand across the board. Serving Medicaid residents is not for every assisted living provider, but may be very...