Home Care and Hospice Advocates Applaud Fiscal Cliff Outcome

Home health care escaped the fiscal cliff unscathed with President Obama’s signing of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, prompting a sigh of relief among many fearing across-the-board spending cuts. Upon Obama’s passing of the bill, President of the National Association of Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) Val J. Halamandaris expressed his praise for […]

Fiscal Cliff Deal to Enhance Long Term Care Services

After months of back and forth debate between House Republicans and the Democratic Senate, a fiscal cliff deal has finally been settled to solve the nation’s budget crisis through the American Tax Relief Act of 2012 signed into law Wednesday by President Obama.  The newly signed bill averted the fiscal cliff and left home health […]

New Jersey Bill Supports Aging in Place Naturally in Communities

A New Jersey bill supports seniors who, by remaining in their homes in large amounts in certain areas, have created Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) rather than move into a specific senior living community, reports WNYC.org.  The state’s Senate Health and Senior Services Committee has approved the legislation, which provides $250,000 to create a pilot […]

Home Health Care Industry One Step Closer to New Medicare Pricing System?

Representative Tom Price, M.D. (R-Ga.) has agreed to introduce a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives replacing the current Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) with a market pricing program (MPP), a move strongly supported by many home health care groups.  The Centers for Medicare & […]

Indiana Gets $78 Million in New Funds for Home Care

Indiana will receive $78 million in new grant funding to help seniors and people with disabilities live in communities and receive care there rather than going to a nursing home or another assisted living community.  Under the federal health care law, the state was awarded the new funding, announced Tuesday by the Centers for Medicare […]

Felons Turned Home Health Workers Caring for Elderly in California

Some of California’s elderly in need of home health services are being cared for by convicted felons, made possible in part by a flawed system that is “rife with loopholes,” reports the local NBC affiliate, allowing people to sign waivers allowing felon caretakers to care for them despite their backgrounds—and despite the criminal activity they […]

Mass. Governor Urges More Home Care, Less Hospital Use

Massachusetts’ House and Senate yesterday passed a health care cost control bill that will limit the state’s spending on healthcare to grow only has fast as the state’s overall economy, reports the Associated Press.  The bill would save $200 billion over the next 15 years for the state and would help in establishing “accountable care […]