I. Current Talking Points for Media Engagement:
CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Proposed Payment Rule Talking Points
See link to full State Media Resources folder at bottom of page.
II. Following the Narrative: A quick summary of national media trends last week.
(* indicates that LeadingAge is featured in the story.)
The Biden Administration’s push last week to focus on coronavirus relief funds and Build Back Better generated some interest from national political and aging services trades – and pick up of LeadingAge’s Aging Services Workforce Now advocacy campaign launch. Otherwise, trades focused on advocacy around payment rate updates in home health, hospice and nursing homes, and – as always – staffing.
Biden Administration, Congress, Government Agencies
- The Hill: White House: Over $40B in coronavirus relief funds going towards workforce development
- Roll Call: Reconciliation talks so far quiet on Medicaid expansion
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: $40 billion federal COVID-19 relief program includes funds for assisted living workforce development
- *McKnight’s Home Care: White House summit revives hopes for Build Back Better
- CNN: What’s Left of Biden’s Shrinking Build Back Better Plan after Manchin’s Latest Blow
- Bloomberg: Biden Administration to Again Extend the Covid Public-Health Emergency
- Hospice News: Hospice Advocacy Groups Ask Congress for Action on Proposed 2023 Medicare Rates
- (Opinion) McKnight’s Long-Term Care: LTC: Seize on opportunity as senators support palliative care access
- Skilled Nursing News: CMS Proposes Further Cuts to Therapy Providers With ‘No Relief on the Horizon’
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: CMS opens up on approach to developing minimum staffing requirements
- Home Health Care News: Proposed Payment Rule Could Trigger $18B Cumulative Cut to Medicare Home Health Reimbursement
- Health Leaders: CMS Proposes To Cut Audio-Only Telehealth Coverage
- Hospice News: Medicare Home Health Cuts Could Have Ripple Effect on Hospice, Palliative Care
- Skilled Nursing News: A Natural Fit: New CMS Requirements Elevate Nursing Homes’ Behavioral Health Role
- Home Health Care News: The Key Problems with Medicare’s Home Health Benefit
Workforce, Coronavirus, Vaccines, Waivers, Closures
- Skilled Nursing News: Competition for Frontline Workers Heats Up Between Nursing Homes
- McKnight’s Senior Living: State-level policies make difference to direct care workforce: PHI report
- Bloomberg Law: Nursing Homes Seek Latitude on Staff Mandate, Funds to Meet It
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: More workers coming to SNFs thanks to $40 billion in COVID care funding
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Thousands of nursing homes face lower Five-Star ratings with changes to staffing stars
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Short-term staffing solutions at CCRCs include contingency workers, sign-on bonuses: survey
- Skilled Nursing News: Non-Clinical Staffing Shortages Create Pipeline Issues for Critical Nursing Home Positions
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: CCRC caregiver staff turnover tops 50 percent in some areas
- Hospice News: Social Workers Leaving Hospice, Health Care in Record Numbers
- The Washington Post: FDA authorizes Novavax coronavirus vaccine, adding to pandemic arsenal
- *Belleville News-Democrat (Illinois): Southwest IL nursing home loses funding over failed inspections. It’s closing this week
- Hospice News: Closure of Pennsylvania Hospice House Ignites Community Protests
III. Other Clips that Influenced the Week: LeadingAge is a sought-out, reliable source for multiple trade and national media outlets (see that coverage posted in our LeadingAge Press Room). Other key clips that shaped the narrative last week:
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Registration open for LeadingAge annual meeting in Denver
- *HealthTech Magazine: Tips for Senior Care Organizations on Upgrading Their Network Infrastructure
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: LTSS reform needed to ensure access to quality care, doctors’ group says
- *Penn Watch (Pennsylvania): Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Advocates, Lawmakers and Governor Secure Historic Budget Victory for Senior Care
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: HVAC systems must be adapted to lower risk of infectious diseases, EPA expert says
- *HealthTech: Tips for Senior Care Organizations on Upgrading Their Network Infrastructure
IV. What’s On Our Radar — this week’s likely priorities:
- Aging Services Workforce Now Hill July 20 Hill Briefing
- Media push re: home health proposed payment rule
- Hospice media engagement
- Impact of nursing home closures
V. National Statements & Products (all posted on the Press Room page):
