Donald Trump “Likely” Health Policy

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

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

SCOTUS Chevron Decision a Win for Healthcare

Last week, the Supreme Court discarded a longstanding doctrine that granted regulatory agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, extensive leeway to establish regulations for the organizations under their jurisdiction. The decision (majority opinion) in the case of Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo is available here: SCOTUS Chevron Ruling The decision overturns a … Read more

The Economy and CCRC Performance – Update

Recently (June 12), the Federal Reserve held its latest FOMC (Federal Open Markets Committee) meeting and decided to maintain the current Fed Funds rate within the range of 5.25% to 5.50%.  The reasoning remains the current position of the economy, inflation therein, signals that inflation is a bit more persistent, and that without more definitive … Read more

Private Equity Investment in Nursing Home Sector Generates Regulatory Scrutiny

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

FTC Bans Employment Non-Compete Provisions – Healthcare Implications Aplenty

On Tuesday, the Federal Trade Commission issued a final rule effectively, banning non-compete agreements, provisions, etc. for employees, including executives. The final rule contains separate provisions defining unfair methods of competition for the two subcategories of workers. Specifically, the final rule provides that, with respect to a worker other than a senior executive, it is … Read more

CMS Final SNF Staffing Rule Released

Late yesterday, CMS released the draft of the Final Rule consistently defined as the “staffing mandate rule”. Earlier in the day, I wrote a post about the final staffing rule and the final Medicaid access rule. At the time, CMS had only notified everyone about the final rule(s) contents via a press release. The actual … Read more

Regulation Monday: SNF Staffing Mandate and Medicaid Access Rule

Just announced this morning, CMS has finalized two hotly debated proposed rules into final rules. The final rules involve the SNF staffing mandate proposed last year and the Medicaid Access Rule, requiring 80% of payments for Medicaid HCBS programs go to compensation for direct care workers. The Medicaid Rule follows the original proposed rule while … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Budget Stuff…Cubed

Happy Hump Day! Busy day so far but wanted to sneak this post in, wrapping up the last two days of posts on budget (federal, Medicare) stuff. This being the third day and post on budgets (and last for a while, I promise), the title fits – cubed. https://rhislop3.com/2024/04/15/monday-budget-day/ https://rhislop3.com/2024/04/16/medpac-report-to-congress-a-wrap-with-monday/ What follows is a different … Read more

MedPAC Report to Congress: A Wrap with Monday?

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