Congressional deal meets docs halfway on pay, extends telehealth flexibility
By
Joe Bush
Dec 21, 2022
Potential pay cut relief that addresses some physician and therapist concerns is tucked into a 4,000-page proposed 2023 spending bill announced Monday by members of Congress.
Federal judge strikes down Montana vaccine-choice law in health settings
By
Joe Bush
Dec 13, 2022
Employers in healthcare settings other than long-term care facilities can require employees to be vaccinated against communicable diseases, a federal judge has ruled.
Healthcare worker safety gets new emphasis from federal agencies
By
Joe Bush
Dec 13, 2022
Two federal agencies re-emphasized their commitment to nursing home and other healthcare worker safety with actions in the past week, one of which included a request for permanent COVID standards.
ProMedica tackles ‘false’ portrayal of incoming operating partner for 147 sites
By
Joe Bush
Dec 09, 2022
Criticism of a new Welltower skilled nursing operating partnership drove down the real estate investment trust’s stock price Wednesday, but current operator ProMedica said Thursday that a damning report...
Congress may give providers 2-year relief on CMS physician fee cuts
By
Joe Bush
Dec 01, 2022
Congress appears to be ready to soften proposed Medicare physician pay cuts and might make its aid good for two years instead of one.
State lawsuit targets nursing home owner Lahasky’s use of related parties, seeks repayment of $18 million-plus
By
Kimberly Marselas
Joe Bush
Dec 01, 2022
New York’s top prosecutor this week filed suit against a nursing home owner with a growing empire, accusing him and several co-owners of defrauding the government of more than $18 million while understaffing...
After record penalties, providers can protect themselves from the DOJ with 3 priorities, experts say
By
Joe Bush
Nov 28, 2022
The Department of Justice is on pace to hand out a record $5.6 billion-plus in total fines and penalties under the False Claims Act this year, a clear indicator that the agency has removed the kid gloves...
Nursing home workers end 6-week strike, get minimum medical wage and 1-year deal
By
Joe Bush
Nov 21, 2022
Workers returned to Sunnyside Convalescent Hospital in Fresno, CA, Wednesday after a six-week strike netted them at least the medical minimum wage and a wage scale based on seniority. The 99-bed facility...
Focused aging services apprenticeships would ease staffing woes, advocates say
By
Joe Bush
Nov 16, 2022
One way to refill the long-term care staffing pipeline is with a robust apprenticeship program that sends students to many of the nation’s nursing homes, officials with nonprofit nursing home advocate...
Nursing homes owner disputes misappropriation charges as state launches receivership effort
By
Joe Bush
Nov 11, 2022
A Minnesota lawyer and nursing home president is defending his company against a receivership effort, following allegations that three facilities used residents’ personal funds for operating expenses.