The series of bipartisan healthcare bills are being considered expedited rules that require two-third votes for approval. One bill H.R. 3635, amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to revise the process by which Medicare administrative contractors (MACs) issue and reconsider local coverage determinations (LCDs) that: (1) are new, (2) restrict or substantively revise existing LCDs, or (3) are otherwise specified in regulation. According to reports, it would provide … [Read more...] about Multiple Bipartisan Healthcare Bills Head to Congress
In The News: 5 Healthcare Legal Battles That Could Head To The Supreme Court
Changes to the healthcare market nationwide could manifest if these 5 lawsuits make it to the highest court in the nation. According to news reports, there are several significant pieces of healthcare legislation that could result from multiple major healthcare cases going through the federal courts. The consequential healthcare cases include: Texas vs Alex Azar - Re: ACA is unlawful and the Court should enjoin its operation. Therefore, Plaintiffs seek declaratory and injunctive relief … [Read more...] about In The News: 5 Healthcare Legal Battles That Could Head To The Supreme Court
Texas, and 19 other states battle Affordable Care Act as “unconstitutional” in Federal Court
More than 8.8 million Americans are enrolled in the Affordable Care Act healthcare law spearheaded by President Barack Obama. An unpopular mandate of the Affordable Care Act, a tax penalty for the uninsured was repealed by a bill passed by Congress and signed by President Trump in December. Now, Texas is among 20 states where 20 Republican state attorneys general are suing to overturn the law, asking a federal court to hold the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate and the … [Read more...] about Texas, and 19 other states battle Affordable Care Act as “unconstitutional” in Federal Court
New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
According to reports, a newly created division of the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office for Civil Rights will oversee and protect health care workers who decline to partake in certain medical procedures for patients due to moral or religious objections. HHS’ Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule on "protecting life" and “conscience rights” that will further protect health-care providers who think they are being punished or discriminated … [Read more...] about New Law gives Healthcare providers and Nurses Religious Protections
Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
In 2016, the nursing home industry requested the change in the Medicare program's penalty protocols and now, according to reports, a new policy from the Trump administration will roll back fines against nursing homes cited for mistreatment or neglect. The New York Times research found that nearly 6,500 nursing homes in the U.S. have received at least one citation for a serious violation since 2013 and about two-thirds of those have been fined by Medicare.According to this New York Times excerpt … [Read more...] about Medicare program’s penalty protocols for Nursing homes change under Trump Administration
Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Many nursing homes have hired Certified Nurse Aides with criminal histories legally. Using data from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, it has been discovered that the patient abuse rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average. 25% of the state's 1,200 long-term care centers have been cited for serious standard deficiencies- According to reports by the AARPIn Texas, there are many nurse aides in nursing facilities that have criminal … [Read more...] about Abuse & poor quality care rate in Texas nursing homes is nearly four times the national average
Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
According to reports, the 2017 Texas regular legislative session made vast changes affecting older Texans. Lawmakers approved several top priorities for AARP Texas including bills that, among other things, will protect seniors’ financial future, improve access to health care, and help unpaid family caregivers and their families.Also included was major nursing home quality reforms that seek to hold operators of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities more accountable when they have been … [Read more...] about Texas lawmakers approve major nursing home quality reforms
Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Arbitration Agreement Signed by Nursing Home Resident’s Daughter
In April of this year, the Alabama Supreme Court, in Tennessee Health Management, Inc. v. Carol J. Rousseau Johnson, as personal representative of the estate of Dolores J. Rousseau, deceased (CV-08-900469) held that a nursing home resident “passively permitted” her daughter to sign an pre-admission arbitration agreement on her behalf. As a result, the woman’s estate was forced to settle its dispute with the nursing home through arbitration. Dolores J. Rousseau was admitted to Millennium … [Read more...] about Alabama Supreme Court Upholds Arbitration Agreement Signed by Nursing Home Resident’s Daughter
New Hampshire Nursing Homes Sue DHHS
On occasion, I’ve blogged about nursing homes and the “burden†of Medicare Part D. In July, I told you that pharmaceutical representatives testified on Capitol Hill that nursing homes are losing money under the program. Nursing homes are also concerned about Medicaid under-reimbursements. Sixty nursing homes in New Hampshire are suing the Department of Health and Human Services for $4.4 million for care given to Medicaid beneficiaries since 2002. From the Kaiser Network: The … [Read more...] about New Hampshire Nursing Homes Sue DHHS
Senate Rejects Medical Care Access Protection Act
The American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living issued a statement about the U.S. Senate's rejection of the Medical Care Access Protection Act, a bill that would have implemented health care liability reforms. Long term care providers have had to reduce patients' access to certain services because of the high costs of medical liability insurance caused by expensive litigation. The Medical Care Access Protection Act (PDF) was designed to reform the system by … [Read more...] about Senate Rejects Medical Care Access Protection Act
