State Watch: Long-Term Care News from Around the Nation

As assisted living regulations evolve and tighten, Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements fluctuate, and healthcare reform begins to take effect, many states are facing their own challenges as they continue to develop, operate, and implement new rules and programs. Here is a collection of long-term care related stories from across the nation.

From the Des Moines Register—Iowa Senate Bill Proposes Prohibiting Sex Offenders from Nursing Home Placement

“A bill to prohibit sex offenders from being placed in Iowa nursing homes erupted into heated debate today when Iowa Senate Republicans accused Democrats of allowing rapists to continue living next to grandmas,” reports the Des Moines Register. “The proposal comes on the heels of state officials’ removal of an 83-year-old sex offender from the Pomeroy Care Center after he was identified as a suspect last year in the sexual assault of an elderly woman. That offender, William Cubbage, had been ordered to live in the nursing home by a judge after three state agencies agreed it was safe to discharge him from Iowa’s Civil Commitment Unit for Sexual Offenders.” Read more

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From The Leader—Eden Alternative Offers New Paradigm for Elders

“In his novel “Tribes of Eden,” expert on aging Dr. William Thomas uses a family fleeing a totalitarian regime in a collapsed society as an analogy for seniors who must live in conventional nursing care facilities against their will,” reports The Leader. “Thomas, with his wife Jude, as co-founders of the Eden Alternative, believe that a much better life is possible for the elderly.” Read more

From TimesNews.Net—Ban Lifted on Tennessee Nursing Home Ordered to Pay Daily Fines

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“The Tennessee Department of Health announced Wednesday afternoon that the suspension of admissions at Bristol Nursing Home has been lifted,” reports TimesNews.net. “The state had announced in a Monday press release that a $5,800 daily federal fine had been imposed against Bristol Nursing Home and admissions suspended until conditions deemed “detrimental” to residents were resolved. The state also imposed a one-time $3,000 fine. The latest news release states the nursing home, “returned to substantial compliance for state licensing purposes” and that conditions leading to federal immediate jeopardy citations have also been resolved with an approved plan of correction.” Read more

From the Alliance—Congressional Bill Will Cut $20.3 Million from La. Nursing Homes

“A new Avalere Health analysis detailing the negative impact on the nation’s Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) resulting from so called “bad debt” provisions passed in the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 finds Louisiana SNFs (more commonly known as nursing homes) will suffer a $20.3 million Medicare funding reduction – the sixth largest cut nationally.” Read more

From Philly.com—New Jersey Couple Building Local “Village” Structure for Aging-in-Place Seniors

A Moorestown, N.J. couple is laying the foundation for a Village in their community as part of a national effort aimed at helping seniors live independently in their own homes using collaboration and collective community resources, reports Philly.com. Read more about “It Takes a Village New Jersey.”

From the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration—New Smart Phone App Helps Locate Healthcare Facilities

Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration recently developed an extension of its consumer tool FloridaHealthFinder.gov: a smart phone application for iPhone and Android users that allows consumers to get information on, locate, and/or receive driving directions to any healthcare facility the Agency regulates.

Consumers can search by license type, county, city, proximity distance, or a combination of these options; the app also allows users to learn about the type and number of beds a facility offers, along with the names of the facility administrator and owner. Access the app here.