A Community to Advance Excellence in Long Term Care Nursing
Regulatory Issues and Updates
AALTCN Supports Legislative Issues
HHS Secretary Expresses Concerns about 5-Star Rating System While at the NCOA and ASA Conference in Chicago, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius commented that the Five-Star Quality Rating System needed review. She thought the criticisms of the system need to be examined to assure it wasn't based on an arbitrary bell curve that was flawed. These comments echo the concerns of providers that object to the fact that all states must have 20% of their nursing homes ranked as poor quality for the system to work. Last year more than half of the state attorneys general in the country wrote to Sebelius requesting that the Five-Star program be temporarily suspended. It appears Sebelius has heard them and may re-evaluate the program.
Study Shows Consumers Interested in Culture Change A research project, “Changing the Culture of Aging: Taking a First Step to Creating Knowledgeable Consumers,” completed by the Pioneer Network found that nearly four out of five consumers wanted to learn more about culture change: what it looks like and how providers pay for it. During the course of the year-long study, the Pioneer Network brought approximately 500 consumers together to conduct small-group discussion meetings. The study confirmed that there is increasing consumer awareness and demand for culture change. Joanne Rader, the project director, stated that “those who had been exposed to the traditional model were unaware that things could be different. Those who had little contact with nursing homes were surprised that there could be such a lack of choice about basics such as when you decided to get up and go to bed,” The study reinforces that as consumers learn more about culture change, they will seek care from those nursing homes that reflect it. The Pioneer Network hopes to begin the second phase of the project later this year. The second phase will focus on educating consumers about culture change and how they can advocate for it.
SA 2908 "Support for Family Caregivers under Medicare and Medicaid" Senate Amendment introduced by: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) This amendment would provide support to family caregivers through Medicare and Medicaid. It provides family caregivers information and referral protocols on either admission or discharge from a hospital or post-acute setting. Please see attached to read the full language of the amendment. To submit your organization's vote regarding endorsement of SA 2908, please complete the survey by "copy and pasting" or clicking on the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229ZPDGU4SN
SA 2928 " To Include Direct Care Workers as a Priority for the National Health Care Workforce Commission" Senate Amendment introduced by: Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA) The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act establishes a national workforce commission to gather information on the health care workforce and better coordinate and implement workforce planning and analysis. This proposed new language by Sen. Casey is a no-cost amendment that addresses a shortfall by ensuring that direct care workforce issues are included as a “high priority” focus area of the National Health Care Workforce Commission. Please see attached to read the full language of the amendment. To submit your organization's vote regarding endorsement of SA 2928, please complete the survey by "copy and pasting" or clicking on the following link: http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229ZPLTU9A5
House Bill 2381 - Safe Patient Handling Legislation The American Association for Long Term Care Nursing (AALTCN) supports the Work Injured Nurses Group (WING USA) and the newly formed "Coalition for Healthcare Worker and Patient Safety" (CHAPS) in their efforts to protect Nurses and Health Care Workers across the continuum of health care.- Read More
Pending Legislative Issues AALTCN Supports
Medicare Part D Donut Hole Closure Legislation Letters to Senator Reid requesting that the Senate include in their bill a plan for closing the Medicare Part D doughnut hole.
Legislative Update on Safe Patient Handling HR 378 Nurse and Patient Safety and Protection Act Remains in Committee The national bill HR 378 “Nurse and Patient Safety and Protection Act of 2007” remains in committee. The bill for safe patient handling was originally introduced on September 26, 2006, as HR 6182 “Nurse and Patient Safety and Protection Act of 2006,” by U.S. Representative John Conyers, Jr., Democrat, Michigan District 14, calling for an amendment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to reduce injuries to patients, nurses, and other health care providers with a safe patient handling standard. Read More
California Legislature Passes Safe Patient Handling Fifth Time – Will Governor Schwarzenegger Sign or Veto, Again? Legislation for the safe handling of patients in California is on the desk of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger – again. For the fifth year in a row, the California State Legislature has passed legislation to protect patients and healthcare workers from painful injuries caused by lifting and moving dependent persons. But, every year, for the past four years, Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen to veto. Read More