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LeadingAge Responds to USAToday Nursing Home Staffing Story
On December 8, 2022 by Libbie Chapuran
In response to a USAToday investigative report published on Dec. 1, 2022, examining staffing levels in nursing homes ("Many nursing homes are poorly staffed. How do they get away with it?"), LeadingAge CEO and President Katie Smith Sloan passionately defended the nation's long-term care and skilled nursing operators. She reiterated, "[f]inger pointing and blame helps no one. It's time for a clear-eyed, fact-based approach to ensure older Americans and families can access the quality nursing home care they deserve."
DOL Recovers $28.6 Million in Back Wages and Penalties in LTC Settings
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The US Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced it had recovered more than $28.6 million in back wages and damages for nearly 25,000 workers since it launched a focused initiative in 2021. The effort has led to assessments of almost $1.3 million in civil monetary penalties for employers who willfully violated federal law. The most common violations discovered by investigators were failures to pay overtime or federal minimum wages and misclassifying employees as independent contractors.
Reimagining Infection Control
On December 1, 2022 by Mark Schulz
An article published on Nov. 15 in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA) discusses the need to reimagine infection control within nursing homes to keep pace with rising acuity and multiple comorbidities in today’s residents to remain effective.
Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations Pre-Order Notice
On November 17, 2022 by Mark Schulz
The thirteenth edition of the Really Big Book of Nursing Home Regulations is finally here and ready to go! It is now available for pre-order.
HUD Proposes to adjust OCAF Based on Higher Inflation and Insurance Costs
On November 17, 2022 by Bobbie Guidry
After advocacy from LeadingAge and others, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has proposed a change in the calculation of Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAFs) to account for high inflation and sharp increases in property insurance costs.
NLRB Plans to Protect Workers from Employer “Omnipresent Surveillance”
On November 3, 2022 by Mark Schulz
On Monday, the National Labor Relations Board's (NLRB) General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo announced her intention to protect employees, to the greatest extent possible, from intrusive or abusive electronic monitoring (described as "omnipresent surveillance") and automated management practices through vigorously enforcing current law and by urging the NLRB to apply settled labor-law principles in a new framework.
HHS OIG to audit for Potentially Preventable Hospitalizations from Care Centers
On October 27, 2022 by LeadingAge
The Office of the Inspector General (OIG), a division of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), announced an additional investigation as part of its 2022 work plan. Its added focus will be on whether skilled nursing facility residents were hospitalized with certain conditions and whether the facility provided services per the resident’s care plan and professional standards of practice.
NLRB Issues Notice to Change the Joint Employer Standard
On October 13, 2022 by LeadingAge
On Sept. 6, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking. The rule will change the standard for when two employers who do business together are considered joint employers and are, thus, liable for one another's unfair labor practices under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).
Current State of Play: Build Back Better Act
On December 23, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Senate Majority Leader Schumer has committed to a procedural vote on the Senate Build Back Better Act, which is still being drafted. On Dec. 20, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) acknowledged the deep discontent and frustration in a Dear Colleague letter by the decision to delay floor consideration of the Build Back Better Act because Senator Manchin could not agree with President Biden.
Department of Labor Issues Rule Increasing Minimum Hourly Wage for Federal Contractors
On December 2, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
On Nov. 24, the United States Department of Labor (DOL) published a final rule increasing the minimum hourly wage for federal contractors to $15 beginning Jan. 30, 2022. This document finalizes regulations to implement an Executive Order signed by President Biden in April and moves the hourly minimum up from its current level of $10.95.
Tell Congress: Include Investments for Older Adults and the Providers Who Serve Them
On July 28, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Congressional leaders are deep in negotiations on a $3.5 trillion infrastructure investment package—so NOW is the moment to make sure US Representatives and Senators hear our voices!
Federal Aid Package Faces Uncertain Future
On December 23, 2020 by Jeff Bostic
On Monday evening, the Congress passed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that includes provisions that provide some additional assistance to long-term care providers. However, last night President Trump threatened to derail the bill and called on Congress to send a more suitable bill or wait until the next administration to deliver a COVID relief package.
HUD releases first evaluation of Supportive Services Demonstration
On December 16, 2020 by Libbie Chapuran
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) research arm released the first of three evaluation reports of the Integrated Wellness in Supportive Housing (IWISH) demonstration program, which funds a full-time resident wellness director and part-time wellness nurse to work in HUD-assisted housing communities serving older adults. Launched in 2017, the three-year demonstration program aims to determine whether a well-funded, planned model of supportive services coordination in HUD-assisted senior housing provides compelling benefits.