News
Category: Featured News
Welcome to the Featured News category. The following news items include major developments in the aging services world, as well as important notifications and timely reminders.
DHS Postpones Transition to Fingerprint-Based Background Studies for MDH-Licensed Providers
On January 27, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) has postponed the Wednesday, Feb. 2, transition date for Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) providers to return to fingerprint-based background studies.
Health & Safety Requirement Updated for 2022 Institute; Still Time to Register
On January 20, 2022 by Heidi Simpson
The 2022 Institute & Expo is less than three weeks away, and we are looking forward to seeing so many of our members again after two years. There is still time to register your organization and staff for this multi-day conference which is in person at RiverCentre in St. Paul Feb. 9-11 and virtually Feb. 22-24. The registration deadline is Monday, Jan. 31.
OSHA Recordkeeping Requirements Still in Place for Healthcare Providers
On January 20, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As we all know, the U.S. Supreme Court has blocked OSHA from enforcing the OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) proposed in Nov. 2021. In addition, the June 2021 OSHA Healthcare ETS expired on Dec. 21, 2021, except for all of the non-recordkeeping provisions.
MDH Reinstates Flexibility Concerning Bed Capacity for COVID-Related Needs
On January 20, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Last week, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) issued a Notice to Minnesota Health Care Providers of Optional COVID-19 Relief with relevance for hospitals and nursing homes.
US Supreme Court Upholds CMS Vaccine Mandate, Strikes Down OSHA Vaccine-or-Test Rule
On January 13, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
Nursing homes subject to CMS Rule; Mandate does not apply to assisted living or other HCBS settings
Last Friday, the US Supreme Court heard lengthy oral arguments concerning challenges to the CMS Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination rule and OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Both of these cases were before the court on emergency petitions to determine whether injunctions should be in place, pending trials on the merits of challenges to the respective rules.
Recommendations for Moderna Booster Dose Modified
On January 13, 2022 by Kari Everson
On Jan. 7, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modified their recommendations for when a booster dose of the Moderna vaccine should be administered, and the CDC has published updated information. The booster recommendations are the same for both Pfizer and Moderna with this update.
DHS Issuing Temporary 2022 Care Center Rates and Providing Additional Emergency Aid Opportunity
On January 13, 2022 by Jeff Bostic
Critical Steps Support SNF Operations; Advocacy for Assisted Living Continues
Earlier this week, Gov. Tim Walz announced two new steps his administration will take to offer financial assistance for care centers as the battle against COVID-19 continues.
Practice Self Care through Gratitude
On January 6, 2022 by Julie Apold
Have you ever noticed how it warmed your heart when someone appreciates you? Research shows that expressing gratitude to someone who has done something to enrich your life (no matter how big or small) significantly impacts both the giver and the receiver.
Providers Must Continue Preparation for Implementation of CMS Vaccination Mandate
On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
As previously reported, CMS has announced that it will begin enforcing its Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination mandate for facilities located in all states where the rule is not currently blocked by a legal injunction, including Minnesota. CMS has not published new information over the past several days, but we wanted to share what we know for any readers who missed our story last week.
Update on OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards
On January 6, 2022 by Jonathan Lips
We continue to monitor the status of the OSHA emergency temporary standards relating to COVID-19, and here is the latest available information.
MDH Discusses Revised CDC Guidance: Return to Work, Expanded Staffing Strategies
On December 30, 2021 by Kari Everson
On the Minnesota Department of Health’s (MDH) long-term care call this week, the Department discussed the updated CDC guidance released on Dec. 23. It appears the CDC guidance will be adopted for our settings. MDH reported it is the intention of CMS to revise the current memos to be in alignment with this guidance. The publication timeline for updated CMS memo(s) is unknown.
CDC Revised Return to Work Guidance
On December 30, 2021 by Kari Everson
Updated return-to-work guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has significantly changed from its last release. In the updated information, return to work is based upon several different variables including those who test positive, those who have been exposed, the staffing situation within the organization, and the vaccination and booster status of the health care worker (HCW).
Press Release: LeadingAge Minnesota Selects Kari Thurlow as New President and CEO
On December 30, 2021 by Libbie Chapuran
Board of Directors Concludes National Search; Names New Association Leader
SAINT PAUL, MN (Dec. 30, 2021) – LeadingAge Minnesota has selected Kari Thurlow as its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Thurlow, who currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Advocacy at LeadingAge Minnesota, begins her role with LeadingAge Minnesota on Jan. 3, 2022.
Resource Roundup: Emergency Staffing Resources
On December 23, 2021 by Kari Everson
You have various emergency staffing resources available should you need to utilize them during the holidays.
This time of year, your senior care communities are full of fun and festivity as family and friends celebrate with the residents you serve. While joyous, vigilance is essential; the increase in visitors during this period of high transition and increased prevalence of the Omicron variant poses potential complications.
Update on Status and Implementation of CMS and OSHA Vaccine Mandates
On December 23, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
Our team is keeping a close watch for news about the CMS staff vaccination mandate and the OSHA vaccine-or-test emergency temporary standard. Here is the latest information about the status and enforcement of these two requirements.
Rapid Evaluation Team Implementation Collaborative Begins Jan. 25
On December 16, 2021 by Julie Apold
Over the next six months, three critical hours of your time can positively impact resident safety and your organizational culture. A new opportunity is available to participate in a learning collaborative designed to provide the support you need to build and strengthen your processes for responding to urgent and emergent situations.
Court Green Lights CMS Vaccination Mandate in 26 States, Next Steps Unclear
On December 16, 2021 by Jonathan Lips
Following an order yesterday by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the CMS staff vaccination mandate is no longer subject to an injunction in Minnesota and 25 other states. CMS has not yet issued a statement in response to this development.
1000+ New CNAs: State Launches New Pipeline Initiative to Help Alleviate Workforce Concerns
On December 9, 2021 by Jenna Kellerman
This week, Gov. Tim Walz announced a new initiative to recruit, train, and deploy at least 1,000 new certified nursing assistants for Minnesota long-term care facilities experiencing staffing shortages by the end of January. LeadingAge Minnesota and our Long-Term Care Imperative played a critical role in advocating for this initiative.
Elderly Waiver Rates Increasing on Jan. 1
On December 9, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
Thanks to actions taken by the legislature earlier this year and the availability of federal funds targeted to home and community-based services, Elderly Waiver (EW) rates will be increasing this year for the first time in several years. The Long-Term Care Imperative has been advocating for a reform plan for many years that would tie those rates to the actual cost of providing care, which is especially important now as providers face workforce shortages and increasing costs to attract and retain caregivers.
Occupancy Increasing Slightly but Held Back by Staffing Challenges
On December 2, 2021 by Jeff Bostic
The Long-Term Care Imperative recently completed an analysis of care center occupancy for the first three quarters of this year, and it shows some improvement in the third quarter. However, the modest uptick still puts occupancy far below pre-pandemic levels.