Every month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) identifies nursing homes with an extremely poor record of resident care for inclusion in the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program. This program is a federally mandated initiative to address persistent problems through enhanced oversight. Over an 18 to 24-month period, CMS expects SFFs to significantly … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 1, 2019 CONTACT: Matthew Shepard, 202-293-5760, mshepard@medicareadvocacy.org Today the Center for Medicare Advocacy joined AARP and Justice in Aging in filing an amicus brief in Texas v. United States, urging the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the trial court’s December 2018 ruling that would nullify the entire Affordable Care … Read more →

— Statement from the Medicare Rights Center and Center for Medicare Advocacy — Washington, DC – This week, the Department of Justice took a new, more extreme position in a federal case challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), agreeing with a federal district court in Texas that the entire law should be … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 28, 2019 Contact: Matthew Shepard: 202-293-5760, MShepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org In a decision issued on March 27, 2019, a federal judge denied multiple attempts by the federal government to halt a lawsuit by Medicare patients seeking a right to appeal their placement on “outpatient observation status” in hospitals. Alexander v. Azar is a nationwide … Read more →

Washington, DC ─ The President’s annual budget request is a statement of values. It is incredibly troubling then, that President Trump’s budget blueprint for FY 2020, submitted this week, again prioritizes deep cuts to programs on which older adults and people with disabilities rely, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act. The President’s FY 2020 … Read more →

January 2019 – The nursing home industry is facing tremendous turmoil because some operators are undertaking risky financial deals in an attempt to squeeze out larger profits from their nursing homes, even when these deals could potentially harm residents. The recent collapse of several nursing home chains around the country also raises serious concerns about … Read more →

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 17, 2018 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 202-293-5760, MShepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6248, MClark@medicarerights.org Joint Statement from The Center for Medicare Advocacy and The Medicare Rights Center Texas Affordable Care Act Decision Flawed ACA is Still the Law of the Land Washington, D.C. – In … Read more →

Under the Trump Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has been advancing “burden” reduction measures in nursing homes. The focus of these measures is to reduce both minimum safety standards for resident care and financial penalties when those minimum standards are violated. This rollback builds on the long and, too often, significant … Read more →

We told you so.  Shortly after the passage of last year’s massive tax cut, our organizations stated that it would “result in a gaping revenue shortfall of $1.5 trillion or more, putting Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security directly in the cross-hairs of policy-makers seeking to pay for the tax cuts.” After driving up the deficit, … Read more →

             According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), more than 95 percent of nursing home deficiencies are cited as “no harm.” In other words, less than five percent of all nursing home violations of health, safety, and resident rights standards are identified as causing any resident harm … Read more →

Public Support for Medicare is at an All-Time High, But Experts See Continuing Threats to the Program Sept. 25, 2018​, WASHINGTON – The Center for Medicare Advocacy held a media briefing today to shed light on ongoing and upcoming threats to the Medicare program. The beloved program, which provides health care to nearly 20 percent of … Read more →

Examining Federal Efforts to Ensure Quality of Care and Resident Safety in Nursing Homes House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Hearing September 6, 2018 Statement of the Center for Medicare Advocacy The Center for Medicare Advocacy thanks the Committee for holding this important hearing on nursing home quality.  Both the Government … Read more →

September 4, 2018 – WASHINGTON, DC – Today the Senate begins confirmation hearings for a key position on the United States Supreme Court. Given what is at stake with this lifetime appointment to our highest court, the Center for Medicare Advocacy remains greatly concerned about the nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. As a public interest … Read more →

A joint Statement from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Long Term Care Community Coalition Background. Substandard care and insufficient staffing are longstanding problems in too many nursing homes across the United States. The nursing home industry often blames lack of funds for the failure to ensure appropriate staffing. However, the nonpartisan Medicare Payment Advisory … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Matthew Shepard (mshepard@medicareadvocacy.org) 202-293-5760 July 19, 2018 – Washington, DC – The Center for Medicare Advocacy, along with a diverse group of partners, released a white paper, An Oral Health Benefit in Medicare Part B: It’s Time to Include Oral Health in Health Care. This white paper is an interprofessional, collaborative effort written … Read more →

______________ The front page of The New York Times last Sunday—July 8, 2018—featured an article on nursing home staffing. “’It’s Almost Like a Ghost Town.’ Most Nursing Homes Overstated Staffing for Years,” by Jordan Rau, reveals that a new reporting system based on payroll-based data indicates facilities have less staffing, especially on weekends, than previously … Read more →

Statement from The Center for Medicare Advocacy and The Medicare Rights Center June 22, 2018 The plan to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) released this week by the Health Policy Consensus Group is essentially a redo of the Graham-Cassidy bill that was overwhelmingly rejected last summer. The American people saw that bill for what … Read more →

June 6, 2018 Contact: Matt Shepard (MShepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org, 860-456-7790) The Medicare trustees estimate the Part A Trust Fund will be insolvent in 2026, three years sooner than last year’s projection. The good news is this is about nine years later than it would have been without the Affordable Care Act.  The bad news is the projection reflects … Read more →

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2018 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Justice in Aging – Emma Ayers: 510-256-5595, eayers@justiceinaging.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Washington, DC ─ The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging and the Medicare Rights Center sent a joint letter to Seema Verma, Administrator of … Read more →

April 16, 2018 For Immediate Release Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Kata Kertesz: KKertesz@MedicareAdvocacy.org, 202-293-5760 Florida Health Justice Project – Miriam Harmatz: Harmatz@FloridaHealthJustice.org, 786-853-9385 On April 6, 2018 the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Florida Health Justice Project filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on behalf of … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 14, 2018 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Justice In Aging – Vanessa Barrington: 510-256-1200, vbarrington@justiceinaging.org Medicare Rights Center – Deane Beebe: 212-204-6286, dbeebe@medicarerights.org President’s Budget Targets Key Health Care Programs; Millions at Risk if Implemented Washington, DC ─ The President’s annual budget request is, at its core, a statement … Read more →

____ Team Gleason and the Center for Medicare Advocacy are pleased to announce a new initiative to help people living with ALS understand the Medicare home health benefit and maximize access to coverage and care. The Home Health Initiative will provide the following: 1.  Three Educational Webinars:  Webinar #1: An Overview of Medicare for People Living … Read more →

February 9, 2018 Washington, DC – Early this morning, Congress passed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open. Among other things, this budget deal raises the debt ceiling through March, 2019, removes budget caps imposed by the Budget Control Act of 2011, and keeps the government funded for another … Read more →

A February 5, 2018 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that thousands of "Critical Incidents" in assisted living facilities occur regularly with little accountability, highlighting the need for federal protections for assisted living residents.  The Long Term Care Community Coalition and the Center for Medicare Advocacy released a joint statement calling for immediate action … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 23, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, shepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Deane Beebe: 212-204-6248, dbeebe@medicarerights.org Statement from The Center for Medicare Advocacy and The Medicare Rights Center — People with Medicare Largely Forgotten in Spending Bill Debate — Washington, DC – We are relieved that Congress has reached … Read more →

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 20, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Statement from The Center for Medicare Advocacy and The Medicare Rights Center On Passage of Devastating Tax Bill Washington, DC – Today’s passage of the Tax Cut bill puts the 57 million … Read more →

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 15, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Justice In Aging – Vanessa Barrington: 510-256-1200, vbarrington@justiceinaging.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org   Over 50 Advocacy Organizations Opposed to Congressional Tax Plan Flawed Plan Will Put Health Care for Older Adults & People with Disabilities at … Read more →

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 28, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Justice In Aging – Vanessa Barrington: 510-256-1200, vbarrington@justiceinaging.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org More than 40 Organizations Join Together in Opposition to  Senate’s Tax Cuts & Jobs Act Advocates Oppose Tax Cuts That Will Jeopardize Health Care for … Read more →

– Joint statement from the Center for Medicare Advocacy and the Medicare Rights Center – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 16, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Washington, DC – Today, the House of Representatives passed a catastrophic, rushed and partisan tax bill with no public input, no hearings, and … Read more →

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 15, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matt Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Tax Cut Bill Just Got Worse.  Health Care at Risk. As the House and Senate rush to make changes to their versions of the bill, it keeps getting worse and worse, … Read more →

October 13, 2017 – WASHINGTON, DC Like others who care about the well-being and health care of all Americans, the Center for Medicare Advocacy is dismayed by the Trump Administration’s actions to undermine the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Following a pattern of sabotaging the ACA – including reducing the ACA enrollment period and gutting funding … Read more →

Yesterday, in a significant victory for millions of Americans, Senate leadership cancelled plans for a vote on the latest effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The Graham-Cassidy bill, if passed, would have led to millions of people becoming uninsured, gutted Medicaid, and eroded crucial consumer protections. The bill faced overwhelming opposition from virtually … Read more →

—Letter Urges Senators to Oppose Block Grants and Medicaid Per-Capita Caps— Washington, DC – The Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy sent a letter to Senate leadership today in opposition to the recently unveiled “Graham-Cassidy” bill. The letter voices both organizations’ deep concerns that the Graham-Cassidy bill, like its predecessors, would take … Read more →

– Organizations team up to protect and strengthen the health coverage and financial security of older adults and people with disabilities – New York, NY – The Medicare Rights Center and the Center for Medicare Advocacy are proud to announce a new partnership to protect access to quality health coverage for older Americans, made possible … Read more →

Jimmo Corrective Action Plan Completed CMS Adds Resources Regarding Medicare Coverage To Help People Who Need Skilled Maintenance Nursing or Therapy As ordered by the federal judge in Jimmo v. Sebelius, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new webpage containing important information about the Jimmo Settlement on its CMS.gov website. The … Read more →

Decision in Alexander v. Price Means Medicare Patients Could Gain Right to Appeal Placement on “Observation Status” and Avoid Large Medical Bills Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Niemi of North Carolina was hospitalized for 39 days earlier this year after her doctor sent her to the emergency room. It took weeks to stabilize her blood pressure and she … Read more →

For Immediate Release July 28, 2017 Contact: Matthew Shepard, 860-456-7790 MShepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Washington, DC – Early this morning the Senate failed to pass the latest attempt to dismantle the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The following is a statement from Judith Stein, Executive Director and founder of the Center for Medicare Advocacy: The failure of the Senate to pass the … Read more →

For Immediate Release July 25, 2017 Contact: Matthew Shepard, 860-456-7790 MShepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Washington, DC – Today the Senate narrowly passed a key procedural vote to open debate on one or more health care reform bills that will be voted on in the coming days. While it is still unclear what mystery bill(s) the Senate will actually vote on, … Read more →

May 25, 2017 – WASHINGTON, DC. – Health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare and Medicaid is under assault. The Congressional Budget Office finally released its estimate regarding the devastating impact of the AHCA bill that passed the House earlier this month. Now a select group of Senators is considering its own … Read more →

— Advocates Oppose Key Provisions in the American Health Care Act — May 22, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matthew Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@MedicareAdvocacy.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Justice in Aging – Vanessa Barrington: 510-256-1200, vbarrington@justiceinaging.org Washington, DC— More than 75 national organizations sent a letter to Senate leadership today, … Read more →

For Immediate Release Contact: Matthew Shepard, 860-456-7790 mshepard@medicareadvocacy.org May 4, 2017 WASHINGTON, DC — “By four votes, the House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act (AHCA) today, a bill that guts the Affordable Care Act (ACA), decimates Medicaid, and undermines Medicare,” stated Judith Stein, founder and executive director of the Center for Medicare … Read more →

March 24, 2017 – WASHINGTON, DC — Today the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the American Health Care Act (AHCA), a bill that would gut the Affordable Care Act (ACA), dramatically cut Medicaid payments to states, and undermine Medicare. In an attempt to secure additional votes, the bill keeps getting worse for … Read more →

14 million people will become uninsured in 2018 if the proposed Affordable Care Act repeal legislation becomes law according to yesterday’s Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Report, (3/13/2017). The American Health Care Act proposal, which has passed two key committees in the House of Representatives, would cause 24 million people to lose coverage by 2026 and … Read more →

March 7, 2017, Washington, DC – Last night House Republicans presented a bill to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and cut Medicaid payments to states.  While the new bill, “America Health Care Act” (AHCA) lacks either an estimate of how many people will lose their health insurance coverage as a result of the bill … Read more →

— Advocates Oppose Medicaid Block Grants and Per Capita Caps — March 3, 2017 Contact: Center for Medicare Advocacy – Matthew Shepard: 860-456-7790, mshepard@medicareadvocacy.org Justice in Aging – Vanessa Barrington: 510-256-1200, vbarrington@justiceinaging.org Medicare Rights Center – Mitchell Clark: 212-204-6286, mclark@medicarerights.org Washington, DC — Today, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging, the Medicare Rights … Read more →

On February 16, 2017, the Jimmo v. Sebelius court approved a Corrective Statement to be used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to affirmatively disavow the use of an “Improvement Standard” for Medicare coverage.  The government will use the statement as part of its Corrective Action Plan, which was ordered by the … Read more →

Replace – verb – 1. To place again; to restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like. Retrench – verb – 1. Reduce amount of, cut down; economize Regress – noun –  2. Movement backward to a previous and especially worse or more primitive state or condition February 21, 2017 – Washington, DC … Read more →

February 17, 2017 – WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the Senate Finance Committee held a confirmation hearing for Seema Verma, President Trump's nominee for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Ms. Verma is currently president, CEO and founder of SVC, Inc., a national health policy consulting company. “While short on specifics, it was clear … Read more →

For Immediate Release Contact: Liz Posner lposner@douglasgould.com 646-214-0514 February 9, 2017 – WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate voted by a narrow margin of 52 – 47 to confirm Rep. Tom Price as Secretary of Health and Human Services. In light of Sec. Price’s previous statements threatening Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act, the Center … Read more →

For Immediate Release Contact: Matthew Shepard mshepard@medicareadvocacy.org 860-456-7790 Feb. 9, 2017 – In a decision released on February 8, 2017, a federal judge allowed Medicare hospital patients seeking a right to appeal their placement on “outpatient observation status” to proceed with their lawsuit. The Barrows case, now called Alexander v. Cochran, is a proposed nationwide … Read more →