Nursing-home study: Inspection system ‘broken and can’t be fixed’
Aug 13, 2008
A leading nursing-home association is calling for an independent panel to come up with new methods for overseeing nursing facilities. The association’s task force issued 31 recommendations Tuesday,...
CMS: Medicaid should follow Medicare on ‘never event’ payment policies
Aug 07, 2008
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is asking states to coordinate their Medicaid policies with Medicare’s hospital-acquired condition payment policy so states do not bear the burden of...
Grassley, Dingell call for serious makeover of FDA
Aug 05, 2008
Next year could bring the most significant changes to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in recent memory if Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) and Rep. John Dingell’s (D-MI) plans come to pass, according...
Nursing homes revel in CMS’ decision to hold off on Medicare reductions
Aug 04, 2008
Last week’s decision by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to halt its planned $770 million cuts in Medicare Part A payments to nursing homes for fiscal year 2009 drew loud praise from...
In major reversal, CMS decides not to cut $770 million from SNFs in 2009
Aug 01, 2008
Reversing earlier plans, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will not trim $770 million in Medicare Part A payments to nursing homes in the next fiscal year. This development comes as welcome...
Medicare providers exempt from fee-collection rule
Jul 29, 2008
Medicare providers will not face penalties if they do not collect retroactive fee increases from beneficiaries as a result of changes to Medicare payment rates, according to the Health and Human Services...
Opposition to Medicare cuts grows in Senate
Jul 29, 2008
Nearly half of the nation’s senators have voiced objections to proposed Medicare cuts of $770 million in fiscal year 2009, according to the American Health Care Association and the Alliance for Quality...
Medicare spending to stay intact under House resolution
Jul 28, 2008
The House voted not to act this year on legislation to reduce Medicare spending.
Brookings briefing addresses long-term care survey process, job training
Jul 15, 2008
Redesigning the regulatory survey of nursing homes would help determine how far current resources can be stretched to improve quality, according to a panelist who participated in a long-term care reform...
President could issue veto of Medicare bill today
Jul 15, 2008
President Bush today may veto H.R. 6331, a measure that would temporarily delay the full implementation of therapy caps and a 10.6% cut in Medicare physician pay.