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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocates
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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocates
July 18, 2018
President Trump has issued an Executive Order allowing Administrative Law Judges to be selected by political appointees. Contact your members of Congress and urge them to ensure people’s right to fair and impartial decisions!
July 09, 2018
A recent article in the New York Times substantiates Consumer Voice’s long-standing concern about the inaccuracy of previous staffing information based on self-reporting.
June 27, 2018
Consumer Voice staff joined several advocacy organizations in a meeting with CMS officials to discuss recommendations for the nursing home Requirements of Participation.
June 18, 2018
Consumer Voice’s Robyn Grant was quoted in a recent article in USA Today about the VA’s hidden nursing home ratings and their poor quality care.
June 14, 2018
The purpose of WEAAD is to provide an opportunity for communities around the world to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
June 14, 2018
Consumer Voice, with some of our close partners, created a tracker of industry lobbying and resulting administrative actions, as well as a series of policy alerts providing more detail about the specific protections weakened by industry lobbying.
June 13, 2018
Consumer Voice’s Executive Director Lori Smetanka was interviewed in a recent article on caring.com on the benefits of being a caregiver.
June 12, 2018
Consumer Voice Director of Publicy Policy Robyn Grant was interviewed on The Nursing Home Abuse Podcast regarding bed rails in nursing homes.
June 05, 2018
Last week, 17 Attorneys General submitted a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services condemning federal actions that would delay the enforcement of protections for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries who receive care in skilled nursing facilities.
June 04, 2018
Consumer Voice has sent a letter to CMS opposing Florida’s proposal to waive retroactive Medicaid coverage.
June 01, 2018
ProPublica has published new data on deficiencies cited by regulators and the penalties imposed in the past three years on nursing homes.
May 22, 2018
Consumer Voice has sent a letter to CMS opposing Arizona’s proposal to waive retroactive Medicaid coverage.
May 15, 2018
Consumer Voice sent a letter to the House Committee on Appropriations recommending an increase of $24.98 million in funding for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
May 15, 2018
Executive Director Lori Smetanka and Governing Board Member Dr. Jonathan Evans participated in a panel on the misuse of antipsychotic drugs in nursing facility residents who have dementia.
April 26, 2018
Quality care, quality of life, protection of rights, empowerment of all individuals receiving care and services, NOW! Support our advocacy!
April 16, 2018
Consumer Voice and NORC have created an online learning center for all individuals interested in achieving quality long-term care.
April 10, 2018
Consumer Voice and NORC have created several new training materials on the topic of abuse, neglect, exploitation and misappropriation of property. The materials are based on the revised nursing home regulations.
April 10, 2018
A new fact sheet on nursing home discharges is now available from Consumer Voice and NORC.
April 10, 2018
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a memo regarding - Transition to Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Measures on the Nursing Home Compare tool on Medicare.gov and the Five Star Quality Rating System.
April 10, 2018
A newly updated report is available from the University of California, San Francisco and the Kaiser Family Foundation - Nursing Facilities, Staffing, Residents and Facility Deficiencies, 2009 Through 2016.
March 27, 2018
Congress has passed and the President has signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill to fund the federal government through September 2018.
March 20, 2018
Urge your member of Congress to request increased funding for the long-term care ombudsman program.
March 07, 2018
As part of our annual recruitment process, the Consumer Voice is seeking candidates for open positions on our Governing Board.
March 06, 2018
Your actions in early February to ask the Senate to fund the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program (#FundMFP) made a big impact. Now it is time to go all out and make a big push to pass the EMPOWER Care Act!
February 06, 2018
A workgroup in Minnesota has published a report on elder abuse in long-term care settings.
February 06, 2018
In response to the GAO’s recent report, Consumer Voice is calling on states and the federal government to better protect assisted living facility residents.
February 05, 2018
A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office found regulation of assisted living services lacking even when billions of dollars flows into the industry.
February 05, 2018
Human Rights Watch has published a report on the over-medication of people with dementia in US nursing homes.
January 30, 2018
The future of the Money Follows the Person program is at risk. Urge your Senators to co-sponsor the bill to improve and extend the program for five years.
January 03, 2018
The recent article uncovers how nursing homes that outsource to related organizations have poorer care.
December 21, 2017
Legislation newly introduced in Congress would improve emergency preparedness in nursing homes.
November 29, 2017
Consumer Voice has joined 40 organization in opposing tax cuts that would put the health care of older adults and people with disabilities at risk.
November 28, 2017
November 28 is a big day in the world of nursing home regulations: Phase 2 regulations go into effect, along with a new survey process, the “freezing” of health inspection ratings, and revised interpretive guidelines.
November 21, 2017
A new issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation focuses on “Key Issues in Long-Term Services and Supports Quality.”
November 16, 2017
The Consumer Voice is proud to announce recipients of its annual leadership awards.
October 31, 2017
Protect residents by urging CMS to retain the requirements of participation and implement them without delay.
October 20, 2017
Consumer Voice has created a new guide - “Understanding and Advocating for Effective Implementation of the Home and Community-Based Services Settings Rule.”
October 04, 2017
The Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act would improve the nation’s response to elder abuse and financial exploitation of seniors.
September 26, 2017
Consumer Voice, along with other organizations, has called on CMS to immediately implement the recommendations in HHS OIG’s Early Alert regarding reporting abuse and neglect of nursing home residents.
September 20, 2017
The recent tragic deaths of nursing home residents in Florida following Hurricane Irma is a reminder of the need for emergency preparedness.
September 18, 2017
The Senate is working on a new bill that would convert Medicaid into a per capita cap system. Tell them no caps to Medicaid!
September 05, 2017
The Administration for Community Living has developed Principles for Person-directed Services and Supports during Serious Illness.
August 29, 2017
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released an early alert about their investigation which found that more than one-quarter of serious cases of nursing home abuse are not reported to law enforcement.
August 11, 2017
On August 3, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee confirmed nominee Lance Robertson as the new Assistant Secretary on Aging and the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living.
August 02, 2017
News article about forced arbitration agreements.
July 25, 2017
Tell CMS that requiring nursing home residents to sign pre-dispute arbitration agreements is unacceptable!
July 06, 2017
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a Survey & Certification Memo announcing the release of several new documents related to the revised federal nursing home regulations and the new survey process and training resources.
June 30, 2017
Newly designed Residents’ Rights Posters are now available for pre-order in our online store.
June 20, 2017
Tell your Senator to say “NO” to Medicaid cuts and caps and protect the care of all those needing long-term care.
June 19, 2017
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are requesting comments on several items.
June 15, 2017
WEAAD serves as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders.
June 12, 2017
The House of Representatives will be voting on legislation, H.R. 1215, the Protecting Access to Care Act, which will significantly strip away an individual’s right to justice through the courts in the event they are harmed or killed by a health care provider.
June 09, 2017
Consumer Voice recognizes people who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of long-term care consumers. Nominate an advocate now!
June 06, 2017
After publishing a final rule banning pre-dispute arbitration agreements for nursing home residents and family members, CMS is issuing new proposed rules that rescind resident protections against these unfair provisions.
May 30, 2017
The webinar from the Alliance for Health Reform looks at where Medicaid stands - from the AHCA to state waivers.
May 30, 2017
A recent story in NPR covers several states’ attempts to fight involuntary discharge in nursing homes.
May 26, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has provided an update on the Special Focus Facility Initiative.
May 24, 2017
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced an extension of the transition period for complying with the HCBS Final Rule.
May 09, 2017
During these past few months, there has been an unprecedented assault on the policies that support access to quality long-term care and protect the rights of long-term care consumers. We are fighting back.
May 09, 2017
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality released a Toolkit to Reduce CAUTI and Other HAIs in Long-Term Care Facilities. Consumer Voice was a partner on this project.
April 25, 2017
All long-term care consumers are invited to get creative and share their thoughts on this year’s Residents’ Rights Month theme - “It’s All About Me: My Life, My Care, My Choices.”
April 23, 2017
Consumer Voice needs your stories about why Medicaid is so important to you and your family.
April 12, 2017
Consumer Voice, with the Long Term Care Community Coalition, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, issued a joint statement in response to the recent reports exposing abuse and neglect in nursing homes across the country.
March 31, 2017
The revised federal nursing home regulations are here to stay.
March 28, 2017
The theme for Residents’ Rights Month 2017 is “It’s All About Me: My Life, My Care, My Choices.”
March 15, 2017
Consumer Voice, Justice in Aging, and the Center for Medicare Advocacy have released a new issue brief in their series on the revised federal nursing home regulations.
March 13, 2017
Medicaid is a lifeline for nursing home residents and other long-term care consumers. Tell your members of congress to oppose per capita caps!
March 10, 2017
The American Health Care Act is harmful for long-term care consumers and those who care for them.
March 03, 2017
Protect consumers’ rights to hold providers accountable. Groups, sign on to letter opposing H.R. 1215.
March 03, 2017
Consumer Voice sent a letter to Senator Al Franken in support of his reintroduction of the Arbitration Fairness Act.
February 24, 2017
Consumer Voice, along with the National Center on Elder Abuse and the National Organization for Victim Assistance, have issued a statement in light of the recent CNN investigation on sexual abuse.
February 23, 2017
Consumer Voice is outraged and horrified in response to the findings of the CNN investigative report on sexual abuse in nursing homes, “Sick, Dying and Raped in America’s Nursing Homes.”
February 21, 2017
Consumer Voice, along with the Center for Medicare Advocacy and Justice in Aging, has released a new issue brief in their issue brief series, “A Closer Look at the Revised Nursing Facility Regulations.”
February 17, 2017
Congress is planning to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replace it with major changes to Medicaid. Tell your members of Congress NO!
February 14, 2017
ACL’s Becky Kurtz has written an article in the Society of Certified Senior Advisors Journal on the long-term care ombudsman program.
February 08, 2017
New fact sheets include information on involuntary transfer and discharge and unnecessary drugs and antipsychotic medications.
January 27, 2017
Consumer Voice and its whole network will be tweeting to fight the repeal of the revised federal nursing home regulations.
January 19, 2017
Family caregivers testified at a Senate Forum on Health Care, Medicare, and Medicaid.
December 22, 2016
This summary presents an overview of key changes in the revised federal nursing home regulations for the sections on Resident Assessment (§483.20) – Training Requirements (§483.95). It is designed to highlight what is different between the prior rule and the final rule and includes only those parts of the rule that went into effect in Phase 1 on November 28, 2016.
December 20, 2016
Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging have released a new fact sheet entitled “Why the Recently-Revised Nursing Home Regulations are Vital for Nursing Home Residents.”
December 20, 2016
Congressional Leaders have promised to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This could harm nursing home residents and other long-term care consumers. Tell your Senators and Representative NO!
December 05, 2016
Consumer Voice, Center for Medicare Advocacy and Justice in Aging have released a new fact sheet providing a closer look at the revised nursing facility regulations on assessment, care planning and discharge planning.
November 23, 2016
Consumer Voice and Justice in Aging created guides on how the HCBS rules can be used to improve services for older persons.
November 15, 2016
This new resource from Consumer Voice and NCEA provides an overview of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
November 08, 2016
Consumer Voice has released a new report on why nursing home residents may suffer harm when their nursing home closes and how to reduce such harm.
October 12, 2016
This informative webinar gives consumers, family and advocates the tools to obtain quality long-term services and supports.
September 30, 2016
After recommendations from Consumer Voice, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has prohibited pre-dispute arbitration agreements in nursing home contracts as a part of the newly released federal nursing facility regulations.
September 15, 2016
Consumer Voice sent comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in support of the Special Focus Facility program.
September 09, 2016
Consumer Voice has been highlighted in the September issue of the Philanthropy Journal News, a publication of NC State University.
August 24, 2016
CFPB’s report found that strong collaboration among community stakeholders can effectively protect older adults from financial exploitation.
August 23, 2016
The Administration for Community Living’s Administration on Aging awarded grants to 13 states to address abuse of older adults and people with disabilities.
August 22, 2016
Help people living in nursing facilities and other institutional settings move back into the community!
August 18, 2016
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has created placemats with simple tips for avoiding common predatory consumer scams.
August 17, 2016
An infographic created by the Health Professionals Press shows the factors that lead to bullying and how to prevent it.
August 16, 2016
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services updated the Nursing Home Compare Five-Star Quality Ratings to incorporate new measures that look at successful discharges, emergency visits, and re-hospitalizations.
August 05, 2016
Thank you to all the individuals and organizations who signed onto our letter to CMS calling for the agency to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home agreements once and for all.
July 28, 2016
Tell CMS to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home agreements once and for all!
July 11, 2016
Join us for a series of three webinars on a wide range of long-term care issues featuring expert speakers.
June 29, 2016
Resources on prevention, detection and reporting financial exploitation in nursing homes and assisted living.
June 21, 2016
Take action to ensure older people and people with disabilities get support navigating their Medicare benefits.