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.
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.
Now Available: Final MDS 3.0 RAI Manual (v1.17.1)
On September 24, 2019 by Sue Boyd
Good news for providers and stakeholders who are finalizing their transition to the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) that goes into effect Oct. 1: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final version of the MDS 3.0 RAI Manual (version 1.17.1).
MDS Expert at Your Fingertips
On September 16, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Are you up to speed on the MDS? One of the benefits of being a member of LeadingAge National is access to Judy Wilhilde Brandt, our MDS-expert consultant.
Section 202/PRACs Can Now Leverage Private Capitol to Preserve Affordable Housing
On September 10, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
Effective immediately, HUD providers of Section 202 Housing for the Elderly with Project Rental Assistance Contracts (202/PRACs) can begin to leverage private capital to preserve their affordable housing over the long-term.
Congress Returns with Packed Agenda
On September 10, 2019 by Jodi Boyne
Congress returned from recess on Sept. 9 with a long to-do list, which LeadingAge national has unpacked to help you stay up-to-date on key issues affecting our field.
PDPM: What Exactly Are NTAs and Why Are They So Important?
On September 10, 2019 by Sue Boyd
NTAs. You’re hearing a lot about them as part of the new Payment-Drive Payment Model that goes into effect Oct. 1. What are NTAs? Non-therapy ancillaries (NTAs) are a long list of diagnostic categories and clinical support services needed to care for residents in a skilled nursing facility that may be more medically complex or demonstrate a higher acuity. Under PDPM, 50 conditions and extensive services are considered for NTA classification.
CMS Proposal Affects Some, Not All, Phase 3 Requirements; Provider Preparation Still Needed
On September 3, 2019 by Jonathan Lips
As we have earlier reported, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposed rule that would lighten some existing regulatory burdens for nursing facilities and delay implementation of certain Phase 3 requirements. Recently some LeadingAge MN members have asked whether the proposed rule – if it becomes final – would delay all Phase 3 requirements, and the answer is no.
More Hurdles to Prove Housing Discrimination
On August 28, 2019 by Bobbie DuChamp Guidry
LeadingAge will submit comments to a new proposed rule from the U.S Housing & Urban Affairs Department (HUD) that would make drastic changes to the current process for asserting Disparate Impact.
CMS Final Version to MDS 3.0 and Allowable ICD Codes Available
On August 28, 2019 by Sue Boyd
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) last week posted the FINAL version (V3.00.1) of the MDS 3.0 Data Specifications for Skilled Nursing Facilities, which take effect Oct. 1. They also released the file of the allowable ICD codes in item I0020B of the MDS.
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