Episode 8 of the Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care Podcast is now available on Apple Podcasts. Too often, caregivers are ill-equipped to address the needs of persons living with dementia, especially those related to behavioral health. In this episode we are sharing with you a presentation held at the 2020 Consumer Voice Virtual Conference. Listen as we explore strategies, effective treatments, and support for residents and families who often need help understanding their rights and how to get good care.

On January 4, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised a June 1, 2020 memo to State Survey Agency Directors regarding survey activities and issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the resumption of survey activities (QSO-20-31-ALL).

Visit our new webpage on the COVID-19 vaccination process for what we know so far, what consumers and advocates can do, and additional resources.

The recently introduced Senate bill - the Safe to Work Act (S 4317) - would remove a nursing home’s liability for all negligent care that harms or results in the death of residents from 2019 until 2024 - including harm totally unrelated to COVID-19.  Please act now to urge your members of Congress to strongly oppose this bill.

The Commission on Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes has announced it is accepting ideas and suggestions from the public until 5pm Friday, July 17.

We urge you to submit comments calling on CMS to mandate that additional data be collected and that nursing homes share with residents, their representatives, and their families the same information they report to the CDC.

It is now unclear whether Congress will pass any COVID-19 relief legislation, including any provisions related to immunity for nursing homes from liability for COVID-related care.

HR 4334 passed the House and will now go to the President to sign.

Congress has approved another short-term reauthorization of the Money Follows the Person program as a part of the minibus spending bill.