Hands-on caregivers have added to the chorus of criticism against a newly issued proposed federal rule that would cut Medicare funding to nursing homes by $5 billion over the next five years. The funding...
CMS proposes cutting Medicare payments to nursing homes by $770 million next year
May 02, 2008
The government issued a proposed rule Thursday that would cut Medicare payments to nursing homes by $770 million, or 3.3%, for fiscal year 2009, to account for a forecasting error.
Fix Medicare now, secretary tells lawmakers
May 01, 2008
Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt called lawmakers to action on Tuesday during a speech on the need for Medicare reform.
Leavitt: Bush would approve delay of two Medicaid regulations
May 01, 2008
The Bush administration would accept a short-term moratorium on two of seven proposed Medicaid regulations, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said this week.
Almost half of states expecting budget woes in FY 2009
Apr 29, 2008
The financial crisis has battered the budgets of states across the country, according to a new report. That could bode badly if the government proceeds with regulations to cut Medicaid.
CMS to make it official: Medicare therapy criteria to change
Apr 23, 2008
Federal officials are now taking comments on a proposal that would implement the “60% Rule,” which indirectly would decrease the flow of rehab patients to long-term care facilities.
Nurse ratios to drop
Apr 01, 2008
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D) issued a mandate last month to lower the ratio of nurses to residents in nursing homes.
Impact of Medicaid regulations would be harsh, group says
Apr 17, 2008
A Washington-based healthcare advocacy group is releasing a series of reports that show the potentially devastating effects of the Bush administration’s proposed Medicaid cuts on individual states.
Experts: Revamping long-term care key to healthcare reform
Apr 17, 2008
Rethinking the way the U.S. pays for its long-term care is an important step towards devising a new healthcare system, experts and lawmakers said at a House Subcommittee on Health hearing Tuesday.
Martha Stewart to testify at workforce hearing
Apr 14, 2008
Homemaking guru Martha Stewart is expected to testify this Wednesday at a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing on the imminent severe shortage of long-term care health professionals.