News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
CMS Proposes to Revise Mandatory Remedies Policy
On November 8, 2017 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is proposing to revise its policies regarding mandatory immediate imposition of federal remedies, and there are positive changes for care centers.
Join LeadingAge Capitol Hill Insights Call on Nov. 21
On November 13, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Get the latest scoop on what is happening in Congress and how we can work together to accomplish our important legislative agenda. Join the LeadingAge Capitol Hill Insights call on Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.
Final HUD Bill Elusive
On November 12, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Congress has yet to pass a FY20 HUD appropriations bill as the House and Senate Appropriations Committee have not reached an agreement on spending limits.
CMS Extends Quality Reporting Program Deadline to Nov. 18
On November 5, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has extended the submission deadline for the Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program MDS assessment data for April 1, 2019 – June 30, 2019. All data must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 18.
U.S. House Passes Older Adults Act Re-Authorization
On October 30, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The U.S. House of Representatives this week voted unanimously to pass the Dignity in Aging Act, which reauthorizes the Older Americans Act (OAA) and increases funding for vital programs that help aging Americans live independently and with dignity.
CMS Division Director Addresses LeadingAge Conference
On October 30, 2019 by Jeff Bostic
Evan Shulman, national Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Nursing Homes, offered a Regulatory Update during this week’s LeadingAge national conference in San Diego. Here are a few highlights from his Oct. 29 remarks:
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Introduces Legislation to Address Social Isolation for Seniors
On October 28, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Social isolation is a growing epidemic among older adults. Nearly half of older adults feel isolated, alone or left out, and seniors who experience social isolation face a 29% increased risk of mortality. U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-MN) is addressing this challenge by introducing legislation to counter the detrimental and physical effects of social isolation among seniors.
REMINDER: Capitol Hill Insights Call on Thursday, Oct. 24
On October 23, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Get the latest news on federal regulation and legislation on this week’s Capitol Insights Call hosted by LeadingAge. Sign up here for the Thursday, Oct. 24 call that begins a 1 p.m.
CMS Seeks to Improve Performance of State Survey Agencies
On October 23, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a pair of administrative memos related to State Survey Agencies’ performance in the survey process: Admin Info: 20-01-ALL details results from the State Performance Standards System (SPSS) for FY 2016 – 2018, and Admin Info: 20-02-ALL announces revisions to the FY 2020 SPSS Guidance.
Federal Policy Update; Capitol Hill Insights Call on Oct. 24
On October 15, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
In late September, Congress passed a continuing resolution that funds federal programs through Nov. 21. This means there is much work to be done when Congress returns from recess this month. LeadingAge has provided a Federal Policy Update on issues that matter most to you and will cover key issues on its Capitol Hill Insights call on Oct. 24.
Federal Judge Blocks Public Charge Rule
On October 15, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A federal judge last week issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the Public Charge final rule that would have allowed the government to base green card decisions on whether an immigrant could be later seen as a financial burden on taxpayers.
Care Centers Must Continue to Prepare for Phase 3
On October 9, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
With seven weeks to go until the effective date of the Phase 3 requirements for care centers, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not finalized its proposed rule (“Regulatory Provisions to Promote Efficiency and Transparency”) published July 18 that would delay implementation of certain Phase 3 requirements and lighten other existing regulatory burdens for settings.
CMS Removes Two Quality Measures Relating to Pain
On October 8, 2019 by Julie Apold
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) plans to remove two quality measures relating to pain from the Nursing Home Compare website and the Five Star Quality Rating System.
CMS Releases Corrected PDPM Grouper Package
On October 8, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a corrected version of the latest PDPM DLL Package (V1.0003 FINAL), which includes identified grouper discrepancies and updated test files and documentation.
GAO Examines Abuse Reporting in Nursing Homes vs. Assisted Living
On October 1, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Elder Abuse: Federal Requirements for Oversight in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities Differ, examined the variations in oversight and abuse reporting requirements between nursing homes assisted living.
Direct Care Workforce Provisions in New OAA Legislation
On October 1, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
A bill to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA) would increase funding for programs that support older adults aging in place and includes provisions to help develop and expand the direct care workforce.
CNA Training Lockout Legislation Introduced
On October 1, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
The Nursing Home Workforce Quality Act (H.R.4468) introduced in Congress last week would remove the mandatory two-year waiting period to reinstate a nursing home provider's CNA training authority that is imposed when fines exceed a certain level.
CARE Opportunity Acts Creates Pipelines, Advances Careers
On October 1, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Citing the importance of direct care workers in all sectors of the long-term services and supports field, and the millions of workers who will be needed in the next five years, a new bill in Congress establishes grants to recruit, retain, and support direct care workers.
#DearCandidate, Are You Listening?
On September 24, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
Katie Smith Sloan, President & CEO of LeadingAge National, recently put out a bold call to action to take long-term care from being a sleeper issue in election season to one that boosts a candidate out of the 2020 pack. It’s called #DearCandidate and you can help aging take the center stage.
Capitol Insights Call – Thursday at 3 p.m.
On September 24, 2019 by Kari Thurlow
LeadingAge National members are invited to join the Capitol Hill Insights Call on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. to get the latest news from Congress and how you can help us make a difference in aging services policy.
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