Obama wins: New president favors long-term care financing reform
Nov 05, 2008
Democratic candidate Barack Obama last night was elected the next president of the United States. His proposals for long-term care include financing reform.
Experts favor new payment system rewarding higher quality and more efficient care
Nov 04, 2008
A new survey of healthcare leaders finds that almost all feel the current healthcare payment system is fundamentally flawed and must be reformed. An overwhelming majority favor bonuses for high-quality...
Urge Congress to pass stimulus package, former senator tells policy experts
Nov 03, 2008
Former Sen. Bob Kerrey told a panel of state and federal long-term care policy experts to push Congress to pass a stimulus package before the new Congress convenes.
Worried governors ask Congress for more federal Medicaid funding
Oct 29, 2008
The nation’s governors have appealed to congressional leaders to boost federal Medicaid funding and change tax provisions to help states through the current economic slowdown. In particular, the...
Study: Medicare pay-for-performance penalizes hospitals that treat more elderly patients
Oct 22, 2008
Hospitals that serve large groups of the elderly, poor, African-American or female patients tend to be ranked lower than hospitals with healthier, younger clientele under the Medicare pay-for-performance...
CMS: Medicaid spending to rise to $674 billion in 10 years
Oct 20, 2008
Government spending on Medicaid is expected to reach $674 billion by 2017, with annual spending projected to outpace U.S. economic growth, according to a report released Friday by the Centers for Medicare...
Candidates, lawmakers vow healthcare reform will occur, despite financial upheaval
Oct 17, 2008
The current global financial crisis will not prevent the next Congress or president from making healthcare reforms, key leaders are saying.
Medicaid reform pilot to enhance choices confuses beneficiaries
Oct 17, 2008
A Florida pilot program designed to give Medicare beneficiaries more choice and control concerning their healthcare plans has led to more confusion than anything else, according to a recent review by the...
Supplemental compliance program guidance available for nursing facilities
Oct 13, 2008
The Office of Inspector General has supplemented 2000 compliance program guidance for nursing facilities.
Yarwood: Five-star rating system, card-check legislation loom large
Oct 07, 2008
While the nursing home industry can be proud of its accomplishments in Washington over the last year, many challenges await. These include card-check legislation in Congress and a problematic five-star...