The House Education & Labor Committee has approved a bill to repeal a federal law which made college students ineligible for financial aid due to drug convictions. It also clarifies a previous rolling back of the penalties passed in 2006. The reasoning of the committee is as follows: Critics have argued that blocking people from being able to pursue a college degree is a counterproductive way to respond to substance use and misuse issues. “The best possible intervention for a … [Read more...] about Bill Approved to Repeal Federal Law Stripping Students of College Financial Aid for Drug Convictions.
The Butterfly IQ–Changing the Future of Medicine?
Replacing the stethoscope. https://youtu.be/q2S8NlTk_8I … [Read more...] about The Butterfly IQ–Changing the Future of Medicine?
Expected Passage of Marijuana Banking Bill by House
The head of the American Banker's Association is predicting that the U.S. House of Representatives will pass legislation allowing banks to service the business of companies in states where marijuana products are legal: "In an interview on the podcast Engage with Andy Busch that was released on Friday, ABA CEO Rob Nichols said that his group will be actively lobbying for the bipartisan cannabis banking bill in order to provide clarity to financial institutions that currently worry that … [Read more...] about Expected Passage of Marijuana Banking Bill by House
Nursing Facility Rehabilitation Services & Best Practices Provider Letter–Texas
Based on the OIG Audit Report: Financial Impact of Clustering Therapy Services During MDS Assessment Look-Back Periods for Texas Medicaid Residents of Long-Term Care Nursing Facilities, Texas HHS has issued a provider letter for Nursing facilities outlining best practices: ? Resident functional declines that do not warrant a significant change in status assessment (SCSA) should be clearly documented in the clinical record to support therapy evaluation and treatment orders. ? … [Read more...] about Nursing Facility Rehabilitation Services & Best Practices Provider Letter–Texas
Second Texas Marijuana Policy Conference This Labor Day Weekend
The Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy are holding the second Texas Marijuana Policy Conference this weekend in Austin, Texas. A broad range of speakers will participate. Many of the courses will address legal issues. The schedule is here. … [Read more...] about Second Texas Marijuana Policy Conference This Labor Day Weekend
DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced on Monday that is is taking steps to expand the number of federally authorized marijuana manufacturers for research purposes. In the three years since DEA first said it would be accepting applications for cannabis manufacturers, the agency has received 33 submissions. In a notice of applications set to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, DEA said the “unprecedented” volume of inquiries makes it necessary to develop new … [Read more...] about DEA to Finally Take Action on Marijuana Grower Applications
Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
An interesting story has been published by JAMA about this: "The move to single-patient rooms at the McGill University Health Centre's (MUHC) Glen site in 2015 resulted in significantly reduced rates of hospital-acquired infections, suggests a study published today in the highly respected journal JAMA: Internal Medicine published by the American Medical Association. A team at the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) found that rates of both colonization … [Read more...] about Single-Patient Rooms Found to Decrease Hospital-Acquired Infections
Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Nursing home owners who have HUD loans should take note of this: A judge has approved a nearly $1 million penalty for the former leader of a nursing home chain after the company defaulted on $146 million in loans — the biggest default in the HUD federal mortgage insurance program’s history. Note the fact that and an individual was the target. … [Read more...] about Almost 1 Million Dollar Penalty for Nursing Home Leader in HUD Loan Default
Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is advocating future model state policies to resolve issues regarding banking issues for marijuana and for legalization of hemp and CBD: "Tasks forces of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a nonprofit that brings together conservative lawmakers and private sector stakeholders to draft and distribute model policies for consideration by state legislatures, discussed banking issues in the marijuana industry … [Read more...] about Proposals for Marijuans Banking and CBD Bills Floated
New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
On Augst 1, 2019, HHS posted a new provider letter entitled: Information Letter No. 19-14 Routine Home Care First 60 Days Recoupment of Overbilling on Routine Home Care First 60 Days. The purpose is as follows: The purpose of this letter is to inform Medicaid hospice providers that HHSC intends to review billing for routine home care (RHC) and recoup overbilling at the higher RHC rate. On January 1, 2016, HHSC implemented the changes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services … [Read more...] about New Hospice Provider Letter Warns Recoupment at Higher Routine Home Care Rate
