News
Category: Federal News
Welcome to the Federal News category. These news items pertain to aging services national policies and programs.
Long-term Care Leaders Requested to Complete Professional Practice Analysis Survey
On December 18, 2025 by Bobbie Guidry
The National Association of Long-Term Care Boards (NAB) has launched the 2025-26 Professional Practice Analysis (PPA) survey. A PPA, sometimes referred to as a Job Analysis, is the practice of gathering and analyzing details about a particular job, such as responsibilities, day-to-day duties, qualifications, etc.
HUD Secretary Sends Letter Addressing Guidance for Criminal Background Screening
On December 4, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
Members who provide HUD subsidized housing may have received a letter dated November 25, 2025 from HUD Secretary E. Scott Turner addressing the current administration’s guidance related to criminal background screenings for prospective tenants.
Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Combat Nursing Shortage by Using Unissued Visas
On October 30, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act has been reintroduced – A federal bill that proposes to recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused immigrant visas—25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians.
CLA Releases Annual Industry Trends Report
On October 30, 2025 by Jeff Bostic
LeadingAge Minnesota business partner CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) recently released their 40th Annual SNF Cost Comparison and Industry Trends Report. This year's report is centered on the importance of understanding the reimbursement landscape, how quality drives performance, and enhancing business operations and acumen.
New Toolkit Provides Focused Guidance on Skin and MDRO Prevention in Long-Term Care Settings
On October 23, 2025 by Kari Everson
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently released a practical, evidence-based toolkit designed specifically for long‐term care organizations to reduce the risk of skin compromise and the spread of multidrug‐resistant organisms (MDROs). Because residents live in the same place where they receive care, the environment and resident interactions present unique prevention challenges.
Malpractice Risk Rising for Nurses in Long-Term Care
On October 16, 2025 by Kari Everson
The latest Nurse Professional Liability Claim Report: 5th Edition, released by CNA and the Nurses Service Organization (NSO), reveals a growing concern for those working in our settings. Over the past five years, nearly half of all closed nurse malpractice claims have involved professionals working in long-term care, assisted living, or home health settings.
Housing providers begin receiving long-overdue CY25 Service Coordinator award notices
On September 18, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has begun issuing the calendar year 2025 Resident Services Coordinator (RSC) grant award notices to renew grants for the current year.
Bipartisan Bill Reintroduced Aimed at Addressing Nursing Shortage with Unused Visas
On September 18, 2025 by Anna Mowry
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act has been reintroduced – a federal bill that proposes to recapture up to 40,000 previously authorized but unused immigrant visas—25,000 for nurses and 15,000 for physicians.
CDC Releases 2025–2026 Flu Vaccine Recommendations
On September 4, 2025 by Kari Everson
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced updated recommendations for flu vaccination for the 2025–2026 flu season. On August 28, 2025, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved the guidance that will shape flu prevention efforts nationwide.
HUD To Remove Translated Documents in New English-Only Policy
On August 21, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
LeadingAge learned this week of a move within the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to execute on President Trump’s March 1 English-as-America’s-official-language Executive Order (EO) by replacing the agency’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) policy with an English-only policy.
Memo
In a memo to HUD employees, HUD deputy secretary Andrew D. Hughes stated that the EO will “enhance social and economic integration,” and reports that the agency will no longer have contracts for translation services for documents or communications, and all paper and online materials in languages other than English would be removed. HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated on Fox News, “… HUD will solely use English for all Departmental business and services. We are one people, united, and we will speak with one voice and one language to deliver on our mission.”
Previously, HUD had a practice of translating materials like resident brochures, documents, and forms into nearly 20 languages.
LeadingAge National confirmed the announcement with HUD leadership, who said that the change would take effect “immediately.” However, next steps and timelines for removing materials and ending contracts is currently unclear, and as of August 20, several translated materials are still available online through HUD’s LEP webpage.
LeadingAge National is working to save translated materials that housing providers may need in order to serve households with diverse LEP needs. Providers are encouraged to consider doing the same, particularly for documents that you use frequently for the population you serve.
HUD Operators Professional Networking Group August 21st
On August 14, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
If you are an operator of a HUD community, you are invited to join our upcoming quarterly networking group. Get together with other operators to network, share best practices, and get the latest updates related to HUD.
Hot Topics for HUD
On June 18, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
Each month, Minnesota Housing posts an update for HUD providers called MOR Hot Topics. This publication recaps top items they’ve been finding in Management Occupancy Reviews (MOR) and other relevant updates for providers of HUD housing.
CMS Resumes “Associations Calls”
On May 29, 2025 by Mark Schulz
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Division of Nursing Homes has resumed regular calls with LeadingAge and other national stakeholder associations.
HUD Clarifies How to Handle Social Security Lump Sum Payments
On May 22, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has weighed in on questions from LeadingAge National about how housing providers should handle retroactive payments resulting from the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA).
New I-9 Form Released
On April 10, 2025 by Anna Mowry
US Citizenship and Immigration Services has released changes to the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers should review their current I-9 form’s expiration date and begin integrating the new I-9 form into their employee verification systems and processes.
Updated HUD Income Limits and Metro HRA Payment Standards Released
On April 3, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
HUD has released its income limits for affordable rental communities, effective 4/1/2025. These income limits are used by providers of affordable rental property to help a property determine eligibility criteria.
HUD Hot Topics
On April 3, 2025 by Shelli Bakken
Each month, Minnesota Housing posts an update for providers called HOT Topics. This publication recaps top items they’ve been finding in Management Occupancy Reviews (MOR) and other relevant updates for providers of HUD housing.
Upcoming CMS Surveyor Guidance and F-Tag Revisions: What Providers Need to Know
On February 6, 2025 by Kari Everson
Significant changes are coming for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). On March 24, 2025, new and revised surveyor guidance, including updated critical element pathways, will take effect.
CMS Unveils New Program Offering up to $50k Incentives for RNs in Nursing Homes
On January 9, 2025 by Anna Mowry
Yesterday, McKnight’s Long-Term Care News released a breaking story that Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will offer nursing students up to $40,000 in tuition reimbursement and/or $10,000 outright to work for a nursing home or state survey agency.
Preparing For Changes in The Five-Star Quality Rating System
On December 19, 2024 by Kari Everson
January 2025 will bring significant updates to the Five-Star Quality Rating System. The freeze on four Quality Measures (QMs) that began in April 2024 will come to an end with the Care Compare update.
