I. Current Talking Points & Templates for Media Engagement:
Template Op-Ed: Aging Services Workforce Now Campaign
CMS Home Health Proposed Payment Talking Points
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.)
National outlets’ interest in older adults over the past week focused on inflation and the economy, Medicare Advantage and CMS’ Friday announcement focused on oversight of special focus facilities. Trade coverage included McKnight’s and HealthTech’s coverage of LeadingAge Annual Meeting in Denver, as well as workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention; little interest in the new booster for older adults, and continuing coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Leadership Annual Meeting 2022 Coverage Round Up
Several days of education, advocacy, and comradery, including keynotes from LeadingAge’s president and CEO and board chair, garnered media pick up in sector trades:
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: ‘We will not go back’ to early pandemic restriction, CMS leader says
- *HealthTech: LeadingAge 2022: Digital Transformation Is an Ongoing Process in Senior Care
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Immigration reform faces roadblocks, provides opportunities for long-term care
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Nursing homes becoming ‘loss leaders’ as they struggle with funds, staffing, sector leaders say
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Regulator insists brutal honesty from providers can turn the tide on Medicaid
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Long-term care ‘still standing’ but in need of ‘reinforcements,’ LeadingAge chair says
- *HealthTech: LeadingAge 2022: How Engagement Tools Create Connections in Senior Care
- *McKnight’s Home Care Daily: Providers to Congress: Immigration is a workforce issue, not a political issue
- *McKnight’s Home Care Daily: PACE is possible with community collaboration, expert panel says
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Value different things, ask different questions to improve quality, say Moving Forward committee members
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: It’s time to ‘go on offense’ and shift narrative on aging services: LeadingAge
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: LeadingAge works to assemble workforce solution puzzle piece by piece
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Need a PDPM boost? A new study points to physiatrists for $34,000 monthly kick
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Senior living coalition calls on Congress to address workforce crisis
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: New Green House flexibilities expected to attract more skilled nursing operators
- *McKnight’s Home Care: Cultural diversity is a priority in home care field, experts say
- *(Column) McKnight’s Home Care: No better time to celebrate your colleagues
- *(Editor’s Column) McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Fueling up on failure at LeadingAge
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care News: Trauma care, drug-reduction prove ‘scary’ tasks as guidance deadline approaches
Biden Administration, Congress, Government Agencies
- *Bloomberg Law: Poor Quality Nursing Homes Face Tougher Scrutiny, Penalties
- Associated Press: Failing US nursing homes to face tougher federal penalties
- *The Washington Post: The poorest-performing nursing homes are on the administration’s radar
- *McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Feds ramp up nursing home sanctions for poor care performance
- MedPage Today: CMS Puts the Kibosh on Misleading Medicare Advantage Sales Pitches
- Fierce Healthcare: Commonwealth Fund survey: Most use brokers and agents to pick Medicare plans
- *Modern Healthcare: November and beyond: Industry stakeholders weigh in on their hopes for Congress
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Why long-term care advocates are holding their breath over likely Congress power shift
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: U.S. extends public health emergency, buying LTC a bit more time
- Skilled Nursing News: Nursing Home Case Will Be Heard by SCOTUS Despite Activist, Lawmaker Pressure
- Home Health Care News: DOJ Requests More Information Regarding CVS Health’s Pending Purchase Of Signify Health
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: OIG urges CMS to evaluate home health use of telehealth
- (Opinion): McKnight’s Long-Term Care: CMS should bring its oversight hammer down . . . on states
Workforce, Coronavirus, Vaccines, Waivers, Closures
- *TradeOffs, Side Effects Public Media: Workers are fleeing long-term care. Could better career opportunities help?
- *Hospice News: Hospices Integrating Cultural Competency into Recruitment, Retention
- Skilled Nursing News: Nursing Home Industry Recovery Requires More Pain and Innovation
- McKnight’s Senior Living: A vision to address the industry’s No. 1 issue
- (Editor’s Column) McKnight’s Senior Living: Put your head in the clouds to realize what’s important to workers
- Home Health Care News: Survey: Training, Professional Development Still Lacking In Home-Based Care
- Home Health Care News: How Technology Is Changing Recruiting, Retention In Home-Based Care
- Hospice News: Two Hospices Halt Services Amid Staffing Shortages
- McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Study aims to blunt staff burnout, make emotional well-being essential for staff health, resident care, and employee retention
- Skilled Nursing News: Operators See ‘Glimmer of Relief’ As Staffing Concerns Shrink
- McKnight’s Senior Living: Pandemic-delayed move-ins mean residents come to senior living with greater needs: NIC
- New York Times: Among Seniors, a Declining Interest in Boosters
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:
- New York Times: An Uptick in Elder Poverty: A Blip, or a Sign of Things to Come?
- *McKnight’s Senior Living: Good Samaritan independent living units in Florida permanently ‘uninhabitable’ due to Hurricane Ian flooding
- (Podcast) McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Good Sam CEO and President Nate Schema on LTC’s changing identity
- Tampa Bay Times: Hurricane Ian was lethal for elderly, those with chronic health conditions
- Home Health Care News: As Labor Competition Heats Up In Health Care, Home Health Sector Left Behind
- Kaiser Health News: Family Caregivers Find Support on #dementia TikTok
- Hospice News: Focus Group Study: 30% Believe Hospice Intentionally Hastens Death
- Hospice News: Hospice Workers ‘Crave’ Safety, Connection, Efficiency
IV. What’s On Our Radar — this week’s likely priorities:
- Keeping watch for Home Health Final Rule on payment
- Members’ vaccine outreach programs
- Hospice media outreach
V. National Statements & Products (all posted on the Press Room page):
- LeadingAge Unveils Next Phase of Partnership with Vaccine Equity and Access Program, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Initiative 10/17/22
- LeadingAge Statement on CMS’ Announced Changes to Special Focus Facilities Program 10/21/2022
VI. State Association Media Materials: A folder of helpful resources, sample op-eds, fact sheets, and more.