The Week in Media for September 12 – 18, 2022 

I. Current Talking Points & Templates for Media Engagement: 

September Workforce Development Month Talking Points

Template Op-Ed: Aging Services Workforce Now Campaign

CMS Home Health Proposed Payment Talking Points

CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Proposed Payment Rule Talking Points 

CCRC Solvency Talking Points

NASEM Report 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.) 

On the national consumer media front, aging services relevant coverage was limited to the rollout of the latest boosters and President Biden’s comment that the “pandemic is over.” But a busy week on Capitol Hill kept national trades on their toes as several important pieces of legislation were introduced, including the House version of Ensuring Seniors’ Quality of Care Act, Expanding Service Coordinators Act, and Improving Access to Advance Care Planning Act. LeadingAge voiced its support for all three bills in the multiple trade press outlets. Workforce continues as a focus of coverage: trade reporters took note of immigration related bills and funding as a solution for this critical sector issue. 

Biden Administration, Congress, Government Agencies

• The Washington Post: Biden says ‘pandemic is over’
• *Hospice News:  Congress Takes Up Bill to Expand Advance Care Planning
• *McKnight’s Senior Living: Legislation would support training programs, build CNA pipeline, LeadingAge says
• *Skilled Nursing News: A ‘Painful Couple of Years’ Ahead For Operators as Nurses Say Workforce Crisis Hasn’t Improved
• *McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Senate considers push to free immigrants’ path to long-term care jobs, ease staffing crisis
• McKnight’s Senior Living: Members of Congress call on CMS to collaborate in addressing nursing home workforce challenges
• (Press Release) Rosen, Boozman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Create A National Advisory Commission On Long-Term Care Services
• *Hospice News: Hospice, Palliative Care Groups Call for Telehealth Codes on Medicare Claims 
• Modern Healthcare: House passes Medicare Advantage prior authorization oversight bill  
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care: U.S. Supreme Court may consider nursing home’s COVID-19 immunity appeal
• *McKnight’s Long-Term Care: 100 long-term care experts to act on withering NASEM report
• *McKnight’s Long-Term Care:  HRSA sends more PRF money, still reviewing Phase 4 applications
• McKnight’s Home Care: Medicare, Medicaid should fund long-term care, Americans say in new survey

Workforce, Coronavirus, Vaccines, Waivers, Closures

• The New York Times: Potent New Covid Boosters Are Here. Will Weary Americans Bother? 
• McKnight’s Senior Living: Senior living operator launches CNA training program for next generation of staff
• *McKnight’s Senior Living: Clearing immigration’s ‘insurmountable roadblocks’ a chance to address worker shortages, industry reps say
• McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Key senator pressures state survey agencies over staffing-related delays
• McKnight’s Senior Living: Outreach, advocacy, education keys to solving workforce issues, Argentum says
• Becker’s Hospital Review: Supply for Moderna’s omicron booster hits snag
• *Skilled Nursing News: Operators Urge CMS to Reconsider Winding Down Essential Waivers as SNF Recovery Varies 
• *McKnight’s Senior Living: Nursing home sales, closures, halts to admissions come as staffing shortages continue 
• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pennsylvania): Baptist Senior Family to close Mt. Lebanon skilled nursing, personal care homes
• (Opinion) McKnight’s Long-Term Care: Staffing challenges: A time to look inward  

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: 

• North Carolina Health News: The benefits of treating patients at home instead of in the hospital
• Home Health Care News: As Demand Rises For Home-Based Care, Patients Becoming More Complex
• Hospice News: 3 Ways Hospices Are Managing Rising Costs of Care Delivery 
• *McKnight’s Senior Living: Ageism is barrier to re-entering workforce, retirees say
• *McKnight’s Long-Term Care:  LeadingAge gears up for annual conference Oct. 16-19  

IV. What’s On Our Radar — this week’s likely priorities:

• Continuing National Workforce Development Month outreach
• Hospice focused trade engagement
• Prepping for Annual Meeting 2022

V. National Statements & Products (all posted on the Press Room page):

• As New Legislation is Introduced, LeadingAge Continues to Push HUD to Release Critical Service Coordinator Funding (9/15/22)
• LeadingAge Statement on the House Introduction of the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to Quality Care Act (9/14/22)

VI. State Association Media Materials: A folder of helpful resources, sample op-eds, fact sheets, and more. 

Key Provider Type and Issue Updates

1. Here is your weekly Workforce Policy Update
2. Here is your weekly Life Plan Community Update
3. Here is your weekly Home Health and Hospice Update
4. Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Update
5. Here is your weekly Medicaid HCBS and PACE Update
6. Here is your weekly Nursing Home Update