Berwick’s remarks offer insight into his healthcare worldview
By
Liza Berger
Nov 19, 2010
Dr. Donald Berwick of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not have said enough to satisfy some members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, but he arguably presented some pretty defined...
Who knew? Repeal of RUG-IV delay in bill one day and out the next
By
Liza Berger
Jul 26, 2010
When crafting legislation, horse trades are a well-established part of the ritual. What’s unfortunate is that many people who have a stake in these deals don’t know about them.
PACE makes strides in Milwaukee
By
Liza Berger
May 21, 2010
I have heard a lot about the PACE program, but it was not until I actually saw a site a couple weeks ago that I fully understood what this long-term care community program is all about.
Betty White, solid gold
By
Liza Berger
May 12, 2010
Did anyone else catch the actress Betty White on “Saturday Night Live” last weekend? Was anyone else smitten with her by the end of the show?
CLASS Act math
By
Liza Berger
Dec 01, 2009
If you are confused about the financial implications of the highly publicized CLASS Act, you are not alone. If it’s supposed to be solvent and actuarially sound over the long term, why is the program...
CLASS Act on the move
By
Liza Berger
Nov 12, 2009
The House’s passage of the CLASS Act clearly has offered momentum for the disability insurance program. Leaders of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging are convinced there...
Medicaid payment bundling sparks controversy in Ohio
By
Liza Berger
Oct 28, 2009
Medicaid payment bundling is emerging as a key topic in national healthcare reform. As part of their research on bundling, federal lawmakers should pay attention to what is happening in Ohio.
NADONA offers hot conference for education
By
Liza Berger
Jul 14, 2009
As usual, there was plenty to learn at this week’s annual conference of the National Association Directors of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care (NADONA). The scorching mid-July Phoenix heat did not...
Better to let sleeping nursing-home dogs lie
By
Liza Berger
May 11, 2009
Say it’s not true! Could it really be that dogs, those loving, joyful, drooling creatures, actually can transfer illnesses such as MRSA and C.difficile to residents in nursing homes? Pardon my intellectual...
Nursing home chains take worthy quality steps
By
Liza Berger
May 09, 2008
Two privately held nursing home chains went public this week with smart quality and resident care initiatives. The moves are worth touting – particularly in light of the scrutiny and bad press that have...