Congress

Litigation Breaks on CMS Staffing Mandate

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As anticipated, litigation has started via various sources, in Federal courts, challenging CMS’ SNF “staffing mandate”. For specifics on the mandate and actual text, go here: https://rhislop3.com/2024/04/23/cms-final-snf-staffing-rule/ A big impetus behind the legal challenges to CMS mandate is the recent Supreme Court ruling known as the Chevron decision https://rhislop3.com/2024/07/01/scotus-chevron-decision-a-win-for-healthcare/ The decision overturns a longstanding doctrine … Read more

Donald Trump “Likely” Health Policy

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A number of weeks back I looked at what was known and could be divined about Kamala Harris’ health policy.  Today, with the election getting close (less than 70 days out), it’s an opportune time to look at Donald Trump’s likely health policy positions. The Harris post is available here: https://rhislop3.com/2024/07/23/kamala-harris-likely-health-policy/ Both candidates have shared … Read more

Private Equity Update – Regulation

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Not too long ago, I wrote a post regarding federal legislative activity seeking to impose regulation on Private Equity firms investing in senior living organizations (SNFs, home health, hospice, assisted living).  That post is available here: https://rhislop3.com/2024/06/13/private-equity-investment-in-nursing-home-sector-generates-regulatory-scrutiny/ That post focused on a bill known as the Corporate Crimes Against Health Care Act of 2024 aims … Read more

Kamala Harris “Likely” Health Policy

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Now that it appears Kamala Harris will be the Democrat Presidential candidate, a look at her stance on various issues healthcare aka, her health policy, is timely.  Important to note at his juncture, however, is that candidate Harris has not taken clear stakes on many current healthcare issues as Vice President, her roles were more … Read more

Private Equity Investment in Nursing Home Sector Generates Regulatory Scrutiny

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Private equity investment in the nursing home and assisted living sector (other post-acute as well) continues to be a focus of regulatory activity in Congress.  This is despite private equity investment in the nursing home sector to be involve about 5% of facilities. Home health has seen an increasing investment interest as well from private … Read more

MedPAC Report to Congress: A Wrap with Monday?

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Yesterday I wrote a post on President Biden’s healthcare budget. Today, I thought a quick visit back to March and MedPAC’s Annual Report to Congress on payment and program adequacy would be a good “wrapper” – for now. Every year, MedPAC (the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission) reports to the Congress in March on the Medicare … Read more

Monday = Budget Day

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As much as politics consumes the news, little on policy is included. Most days, the political stuff such as trials, Congressional hearings, back and forth tabloid (almost) stuff is front and center, missing is the “meat”. Reminds me of the 80’s Wendy’s commercial titled, “Where’s the beef?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riH5EsGcmTw While I know that the national election, … Read more

The Politics of Population and Immigration

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Followers know that I don’t write much about politics, staying pretty straight-forward on health policy and economics topics. A little diversion occurs today, but honestly, not much. We are after all, in an election cycle and thematically (the title), demographics will be center stage but likely, for the wrong reasons. As I watch the election … Read more

Legislation Grab Bag

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Within the normal news cycle, legislation often gets ignored, especially in this hyper volatile election cycle we have begun. I’m expecting very little in terms of reform or new legislation on important healthcare issues to come forward, and, so far, I’m right. With near gridlock due to small opposing majorities in both houses of Congress, … Read more

Rural Hospital Program: Extra Cash for Emergency and Outpatient Services Stuck in Neutral

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In 2021, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. Within the Act, a new Medicare provider was created – the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). The final rule is available here: Rural Emergency Hospital Final Rule REHs were created to improve and increase, access to emergency services and ideally, expanded outpatient services in rural areas. Starting … Read more