News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
HUD to Host LeadingAge-Requested Budget Training for Section 202 PRACs
On July 25, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
On Aug. 13 at 1p.m. CDT, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will host a training on the annual budget increase process for Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly.
CMS Panel Recommends New Measures for Post-Acute and Hospice Providers
On July 18, 2024 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Technical Expert Panel (TEP) report on the development of additional cross-setting measures for the post-acute care (PAC) (including home health and skilled nursing) and Hospice quality reporting programs (QRP), and filling measurement gaps with CMS’ Universal Foundation measures on July 8. This report summarizes input provided by a TEP on December 15, 2023.
LeadingAge Action Alert
On July 11, 2024 by LeadingAge
The Time for Advocacy is Now: Tell Congress to Support the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act
Tell your elected officials you need help now and urge them to cosponsor, support, and call for a hearing on the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act (H.R. 6205/S. 3211)-and create a pathway for 40,000 foreign-born nurses and physicians to work in the U.S. health care and aging service sector.
Hospice CARE Act of 2024 – LeadingAge Gathering Member Feedback
On June 20, 2024 by Mark Schulz
Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) released a discussion draft about hospice reform on June 13 titled, “The Hospice Care Accountability, Reform, and Enforcement (CARE) Act of 2024.” The Hospice CARE Act is in draft form but would transform and make the biggest changes to the Medicare Hospice Benefit since the benefit’s inception in 1982.
LeadingAge Weighs in on HUD Efforts to Reduce Barriers to Housing Access
On June 13, 2024 by LeadingAge
LeadingAge supports HUD’s efforts to expand housing access in practical, consistent ways.
Expand housing access in practical, consistent ways, LeadingAge told the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in a June 10 comment letter.
Health Care Workforce Survey: Value of Non-Salary Benefits in Overall Compensation
On May 30, 2024 by LeadingAge
Findings in a May 2024 report from the TIAA Institute, a division of insurance and annuities provider TIAA, reveals the values and priorities of health care sector workers and also emphasizes the importance of understanding benefits as part of an overall compensation package and the needs of various worker demographics.
iQIES to Implement Inactive User Policy This Month
On May 23, 2024 by Kari Everson
To comply with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) security policies, the internet Quality Improvement and Evaluation System (iQIES) is implementing their policy this month to deactivate user roles for inactive accounts. This measure will help ensure the safety and security of our system.
Senators Seek Bold Housing Funding
On May 16, 2024 by LeadingAge
On May 10, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) led a letter to Senate Appropriations HUD Subcommittee Chair Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Ranking Member Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) urging strong funding in fiscal year 2025 for affordable housing programs serving older adults and persons with disabilities.
Minimum Staffing Rule PowerPoint Presentation for Board of Directors
On May 9, 2024 by Mark Schulz
A new resource is available to LeadingAge Minnesota members for use with their Board of Directors describing the staffing mandate from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and includes strategic questions for their discussion.
HUD Announces Resources for Extreme Heat Scenarios
On May 2, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry
On April 23, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced its first actions to address extreme heat in affordable housing properties.
DOL Publishes Overtime Final Rule – Effective July 1, 2024
On April 25, 2024 by Mark Schulz
On April 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division announced a final overtime rule which will take effect on July 1, 2024, with updates starting on January 1, 2025.
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.
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.