Wednesday Feature: Ash Wednesday and the Start of Lent

Happy Hump Day! Today is the start of the holiest of holiday seasons for Christians, the beginning of Lent leading up to Easter. Yesterday, known as Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday for some, was the last day prior to the commencement of the six-week period of repentance and abstinence. Ash Wednesday is celebrated by Christians … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Healthcare Job Growth and the Economic Disconnect

Happy Hump Day! My apologies right off for such a head scratching title but this is where I am most days when I see economic reports like the recent jobs report (last week) from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics (report is here: January BLS Report 1 24 ) The news is good, maybe, kind of, … Read more

Wednesday Feature -The Soaring Price of Care: How Retirement Costs are Reaching New Heights

Happy Hump Day! Today’s post is shorter than normal as I have to attend a funeral on behalf of one of my partners (also a very close, close friend). His mom passed away recently, and the service is today. She was a wonderful woman, mom, wife, and grandmother and she will be missed by all who knew … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Neglected, Uninspected – Senate Aging Committee Report on SNF Surveys

Happy Hump Day! Yesterday I wrote about the OIG’s (Department of Health and Human Services) report and focus on CMS’ oversight of state survey agencies. The impetus behind this focus no doubt comes from the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging’s investigation into nursing home survey activities at the state level. The report is available … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Framework for Improved Staffing Levels

Happy Hump Day! Wow, winter has really settled in for most of the U.S. – cold and snow as far south as Arkansas and cold, almost everywhere. Next week looks a bit more promising, weather-wise. Staffing for all providers is a major issue. For rural facilities, it can be the difference between staying afloat or closing. I … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Dying Broke

Happy First Hump Day of 2024! Short weeks aren’t really deserving of a Hump Day, but it is officially a Wednesday that is not a holiday in a workweek (though I’m sure many are still off from the Christmas/New Year’s season). Thus, no matter deserved or not, it is my first Wednesday Feature and therefore, … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Outlook for 2024

Happy Hump Day! I hope all readers, followers, and visitors had a great Christmas Holiday. This post will likely wrap-up 2023 for me as tomorrow, I begin a bit of travel to see some long-time friends and celebrate the New Year. I am not much for resolutions into the new year as I try to … Read more

Wednesday Feature: SNF Ownership Transparency

Happy Hump Day!  Only 12 more shopping days until Christmas! In mid-November, CMS issued a final rule titled: “Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Disclosures of Ownership and Additional Disclosable Parties Information for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Nursing Facilities; Medicare Providers’ and Suppliers’ Disclosure of Private Equity Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts“. The final rule is … Read more

Wednesday Feature: Recession Ahead?

Happy Hump Day! Advent has begun and soon, Chanukah will kick-off. ‘Tis the season or seasons. I will no doubt say this (or write it) many times over, but it always bears repeating, Happy Holidays to all! Yesterday, I wrote a post about Fitch Rating’s and their outlook for CCRCs/Life Plan communities for 2024. Fitch maintained … Read more

Wednesday Feature: CEO Burnout is Real

Happy Hump Day! As readers would expect, I spend a ton (ok, maybe not a ton but a lot) of time reading and researching for client purposes and for this site. Over the years, I have found developing subject level knowledge has kept me sane and given me a deep perspective on health care and … Read more