Author: Kimberly Marselas

As Congress seeks significant long-term spending reductions, with potential Medicaid cuts in the hundreds of billions, the nursing home industry is bracing for a potential blow: the curtailment of state provider taxes. These taxes, which allow states to levy fees on healthcare providers to boost Medicaid spending and subsequently draw down more federal matching funds, are now under scrutiny. House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) has identified provider taxes as a key target for spending cuts, aiming to find $880 billion in savings over a decade to offset tax cut extensions and other Republican priorities. This move has…

The long-term care sector, encompassing everything from assisted living to skilled nursing, is showing robust signs of recovery, fueling “cautious optimism” among investors and lenders for 2025, according to a recent report by Newmark. This resurgence is driven by increasing occupancy rates and rising rental rates, signaling a significant turnaround from pandemic-era challenges. Newmark’s 2025 Valuation & Advisory (V&A) North American Market Survey, a detailed analysis of the industry, highlights that many communities have successfully returned to pre-pandemic occupancy levels in 2024. This recovery is particularly notable as “the long-term care market now has more units occupied than at any…

Emergency preparedness is a critical concern for nursing homes, and collaborations between these facilities and public health organizations are proving essential in bolstering their ability to handle crises. A recent report by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) highlighted the challenges many nursing homes face, revealing that 77% of nursing homes in high-risk areas experienced at least one challenge during an emergency event. This underscores the need for robust preparedness plans and effective implementation. “The goal is to educate and prepare nursing homes [to then] share that experience with other nursing homes and public health agencies in their regions,”…

A 38-year-old woman has been sentenced to probation after posing as a registered nurse and administering medication to residents at a Maryland nursing home, according to the Maryland Attorney General’s Office. This incident raises serious concerns about patient safety and the screening processes in nursing facilities. Nicole Van-Horn, 38, used fraudulent documentation, including a stolen RN license and falsified degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania State University, to secure a position at Denton Nursing and Rehab, the Attorney General’s office stated in a January 30th press release. She worked nine shifts in August 2023, during which time she…