I have a simple solution for improving weather forecasts: Put insurance companies in charge. For when it comes to making accurate predictions about the future, these folks are second to none.
Bill McKnight, a gentle giant
By
John O'Connor
Feb 27, 2012
I last talked with our magazine’s founder, Bill McKnight, about six years ago. Despite having sold the magazine many years ago, he was typically gracious and helpful for an article I was writing....
No cheering in the press box
By
John O'Connor
Jun 14, 2021
Beware the bullish expert. You never know what they’ve sharpened their “horns” on.
A payment program that should be fixed, not nixed
By
John O'Connor
Nov 22, 2021
Look, Washington state’s public insurance program is far from perfect. But if some opponents have their way, it’ll never even get started. And that would be a real loss.
Some unsolicited advice to Genesis: Good luck with the new ‘owners’
By
John O'Connor
Aug 22, 2014
This week’s blockbuster deal has private equity-backed Genesis HealthCare combining with Skilled Healthcare Group.In some ways, these sorts of marriages seem all but inevitable. After all, in the...
Promising signs on the regulatory front
By
John O'Connor
Oct 16, 2017
President Trump is no fan of regulations, and long-term care operators have more than their fair share to contend with. So it’s a welcome breeze when Trump says he wants to start eliminating some...
Did OSHA just tell nursing homes to cut back on care?
By
John O'Connor
Feb 12, 2018
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration dropped the hammer on a Colorado facility last week. Given what’s happened, OSHA’s response might seem reasonable. At least on paper.
A clever idea for a skilled care tax break. But there might be one little problem ….
By
John O'Connor
May 21, 2018
Our new tax law gives some of the largest companies in America a substantial tax break. The American Health Care Association wouldn’t mind snapping off a similar reduction for many of its members.
Wall Street bailout shouldn’t be a mulligan
By
John O'Connor
Sep 23, 2008
As this is being written, Congress is under pressure to immediately pass an unprecedented financial bailout plan for financial firms. These companies have been on a years-long real estate binge. The i-bankers...
A bedbug problem that really bites
By
John O'Connor
Aug 10, 2012
Bedbugs are small, reddish brown creatures. In addition to beds, these smaller-scale vampires can live in picture frames, doormats or almost any crevice they can crawl into. And by all accounts, their...