A round up of recent articles, reports, and issue briefs examining disparities and inequities in health care:Race, Racism, Civil Rights Law, And The Equitable Allocation Of Scarce COVID-19 Treatments: February 2022 Health Affairs article … [Read more...] about Health Equity Reports
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CMS Tells Public to File Complaints About Quality of Care with CMS Locations
In a guidance document reiterating states’ obligation to conduct surveys of Medicare and Medicaid providers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), for the first time, directly suggests that complaints about quality of care may be … [Read more...] about CMS Tells Public to File Complaints About Quality of Care with CMS Locations
A Victory for “Off-Label” Prescription Drug Coverage
On February 11, 2022, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit reversed a lower-court decision and found that Medicare must provide coverage for a beneficiary’s off-label use of a medication in Dobson v. Secretary of Health & Human … [Read more...] about A Victory for “Off-Label” Prescription Drug Coverage
Black History Month is a Good Time to Make Good Trouble
It’s understandable to be tired these days – by COVID, disinformation, the inability to pass important legislation, and inequities galore. But we remember Rep. John Lewis urging us to “find a way where there is no way.” He knew as much as … [Read more...] about Black History Month is a Good Time to Make Good Trouble
Issue Brief | States Are Weakening Training Standards for Nursing Facility Aides
Federal nurse aide training standards in nursing facilities have been largely waived during the COVID-19 emergency. When the emergency declarations end, however, all “temporary nurse aides” are required by federal law to receive training and pass … [Read more...] about Issue Brief | States Are Weakening Training Standards for Nursing Facility Aides
Black History Month 2022: Black Health and Wellness
Since 1976, every American president has designated February as Black History Month with a specific theme. The 2022 theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” which presents a perfect opportunity to remind people of the impact Medicare had on … [Read more...] about Black History Month 2022: Black Health and Wellness
Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
In a new report, New Jersey’s Acting State Comptroller identifies the 15 consistently lowest-performing nursing facilities in the state and recommends implementing changes to the Medicaid program that would require these facilities, in a phased … [Read more...] about Second State Report Recommends Barring Medicaid Payments to Chronically Poor-Performing Nursing Facilities
What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry?
In 2014, the Ostego County-owned nursing facility, Ostego Manor, was losing $5-6 million a year and was sold, “despite strong local opposition,” to the Focus Family of Companies for $18.5 million.[1] Focus renamed the New York State facility … [Read more...] about What’s Happening in the Nursing Home Industry?
It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
Last year, the Center for Medicare Advocacy suggested that it was time to repeal the three-day inpatient hospital requirement that is necessary for Part A coverage in the traditional Medicare program.[1] The recent Second Circuit decision in … [Read more...] about It’s Time: Repeal the 3-Day Inpatient Hospital Requirement for Medicare Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
2022 National Voices of Medicare Summit & Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture
Thank you to all who made this event such a success!The National Voices of Medicare Summit& Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture Medicare in Jeopardy – How Do We Save It? Wednesday, May 18, 12:30 - 4:30 PM EDTVia Live WebcastFull … [Read more...] about 2022 National Voices of Medicare Summit & Senator Jay Rockefeller Lecture