The home health payment proposed rule published at the end of June included provisions that apply to nursing homes. The provisions relate specifically to nursing home reporting through National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and would 1) make reporting permanent, 2) expand reporting to encompass other respiratory viruses such as flu, pneumonia, and RSV, and 3) give the Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) flexibility to require changes to reporting without notice-and-comment rulemaking. Despite this being a home health rule, nursing homes can and should comment to oppose these provisions.

Comments are due by 4:00 PM CT on August 26. Check out this resource for help developing and submitting your comments.  

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Kylee Childs, MSW, is the Director of Government Affairs.Since joining the association in 2023, she continues to be a fierce and resourceful advocate for aging services in Kansas. Her professional focus has always been service to others through advocacy. Kylee has a master’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a bachelor's degree in criminology with a minor in Conflict Analysis and Trauma studies from Kansas State University, and a certificate in Grant Proposal Writing from Fort Hays State University. With a professional background in law enforcement and child welfare, and a successful 2023 legislative practicum with the Children's Alliance of Kansas, she brings rich professional experience to her role as Director of Government Affairs, and a front-line perspective on the needs of health and human services providers in our state. When not working, she's spending time with her two daughters. You can reach Kylee directly at 785.670.8051.