News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
News from LeadingAge: Hospices and SNFs Must Act Now - Report Leaders as Managing Employees
On March 28, 2024 by LeadingAge
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) explained in a February 2024 MLN Matters article that hospices and skilled nursing facilities must act now to report their designated administrators and designated medical directors as “managing employees,” if they haven’t already done so.
NHSN Revises Definition of “Up To Date” for COVID-19 Vaccination
On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson
The National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) revised its definition of "up to date" for COVID-19 vaccine reporting in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
Assisted Living Communities and the Latest CDC Guidelines: What You Need to Know
On March 21, 2024 by Kari Everson
Earlier this month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated respiratory virus recommendations for the public.
DOL Joint Employer Rule Vacated by Judge
On March 11, 2024 by Mark Schulz
A federal judge has vacated the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) “joint employer” rule (the “2024 Rule”), which would have revised the employee-independent contractor test analysis used to classify a worker as an employee or an independent contractor that was set to be effective today, Monday, March 11.
HOTMA Q and A Session to Cover Extended Implementation Date
On March 7, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
Affordable housing members of LeadingAge, our national partner, are invited to the fourth members-only HOTMA Implementation Q&A with Jenny DeSilva, president of DeSilva Housing Group, on April 10 at noon CDT.
New HOTMA Implementation Resource
On February 29, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
LeadingAge, our national partner, and DeSilva Housing Group have developed a “Mission-Driven HOTMA Implementation Discretionary Checklist” with suggested approaches and sample language for discretionary updates to Tenant Selection Plans.
News from LeadingAge: MA Plans Can’t Terminate Skilled Care Because Beneficiaries Don’t Improve
On February 15, 2024 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge, along with its coalition partners on Medicare Advantage (MA), asked CMS to clarify that MA plans must follow Medicare regulations related to the Jimmo Settlement Agreement (2013) when making coverage determinations.
Argentum Hosting Complimentary Webinar: Telling The True Story of Assisted Living and Maintaining State Regulation
On February 8, 2024 by Libbie Chapuran
Argentum, our national partner, will host a complimentary webinar, " Telling The True Story of Assisted Living and Maintaining State Regulation, " on Friday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to noon CT. All LeadingAge Minnesota members are invited to attend.
Revised HOTMA Implementation Guidance Published
On February 8, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
HUD has published their revised HOTMA implementation guidance (Notice H 2023-10) with updates on the asset limitation enforcement options and technical corrections.
New Resource from LeadingAge: Hiring Refugees in Aging Services
On January 25, 2024 by Anna Mowry
Our national partner, LeadingAge, worked with Global Refuge to create a members-only resource with recommendations for hiring, training, and building inclusive workplaces for refugees.
US Senate Special Committee Holds Hearing on Assisted Living Options for Older Adults
On January 25, 2024 by Erin Huppert
Today, the US Senate Special Committee on Aging convened for an informational hearing on understanding assisted living options for Americans.
Join Jan. 23 CMS National Stakeholder Call
On January 18, 2024 by Mark Schulz
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and her leadership team will highlight CMS’ key 2023 accomplishments and look ahead to how our 2024 priorities will advance the agency’s strategic plan during their first national stakeholder call on Jan. 23.
DOL Publishes Final Rule for Determining Independent Contractor Status
On January 11, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The US Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final rule on Jan. 9 that revised the federal framework for determining whether a worker is classified as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
News from Argentum: Argentum-led Bill Introduced to Promote Socialization and Caregiver Retention
On January 4, 2024 by Libbie Chapuran
U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Ann Kuster (D-NH) introduced H.R. 6835, the Care Across Generations Act.
Enhancing Transparency: New Requirement for Medical Directors in Nursing Homes
On December 21, 2023 by Kari Everson
On Nov. 15, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule requiring transparency for medical directors in skilled and Medicaid nursing facilities.
News from LeadingAge: Op-Ed, Letters Urge Action to Fix Broken Approach to Paying for Long-Term Care
On December 14, 2023 by LeadingAge
In a letter sent to members of Congress and an opinion piece published in The Hill (Fix Needed Now: America’s Long-Term Care Financing System is Broken), LeadingAge president and CEO Katie Smith Sloan urges lawmakers to be “courageous” and “offer bold solutions” to address the crisis millions of older adults and families are navigating now as they struggle to access and pay for long-term care.
Telling Minnesota’s Assisted Living Story
On November 16, 2023 by Libbie Chapuran
Argentum, LeadingAge Minnesota's national partner for assisted living providers, has shared that a national publication based in Washington, DC, plans to report on several assisted living topics.
NLRB Issues Joint Employer Final Rule
On November 2, 2023 by Mark Schulz
On Oct. 26, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) released a final rule that will significantly broaden the standard for determining whether separate entities are “joint employers” of particular employees within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act.
News from LeadingAge: HUD Announces ConnectHome Expansion to Multifamily Housing
On October 26, 2023 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge advocacy helped HUD expand the agency’s connectivity initiative to 50-100 new HUD-assisted properties.
Minimum Staffing Sample Comment Letter Posted
On October 19, 2023 by Mark Schulz
It’s essential that we flood CMS with comments about its proposed staffing rule and its impact on the people you serve. And if you do not know where to start, we’ve got you covered.