Author: Riley Donovan

A new bill could soon allow nursing home and assisted living residents in Florida to install personal surveillance cameras—commonly known as “granny cams”—in their private rooms. Filed by Republican State Senator Ileana Garcia for the upcoming 2025 legislative session, Senate Bill 64 (SB 64) aims to give families more oversight and peace of mind regarding the care of their loved ones. What the Bill Proposes Under the bill, residents would be allowed to install cameras at their own expense for both installation and removal. However, for residents sharing rooms, permission from their roommate is required. If a roommate disagrees, the…

Harrisburg, PA – A former workers’ compensation director at a Clinton County nursing home is under federal scrutiny for allegedly embezzling over $500,000 through a kickback arrangement involving a local physician. Paul D. Polen, 71, of Lock Haven, was charged in U.S. Middle District Court with conspiracy to steal from programs receiving federal funds. Polen has agreed to plead guilty and forfeit $628,450—a figure exceeding the estimated $528,450 loss. A History at Susque-View Home Polen worked at Susque-View Home Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for three decades, beginning as director of security and eventually overseeing its self-funded workers’ compensation program. His…

Pittsburgh, PA – Oxford Valley Health is making waves in the Pennsylvania elder care industry. The company, known for its upscale facilities and resident-centric approach, acquired 11 struggling nursing homes on October 29th and is already implementing a comprehensive revitalization plan. Forget fresh coats of paint and new computers – Oxford Valley is investing over $1 million to address systemic issues, prioritizing staff satisfaction, and overhauling the resident experience. This acquisition breathes new life into facilities that were facing a bleak future. With many Pennsylvania nursing homes struggling financially, Oxford Valley’s investment is a beacon of hope for residents and…

Pittsburgh PA – A high-stakes battle is brewing in the long-term care industry, and the casualties could be Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents. Oxford Valley Health, a company known for reviving struggling nursing homes, is attempting a daring rescue of 11 facilities facing closure. But their mission is under threat, not from financial woes, but from the very people entrusted to provide care: the unionized staff. Oxford Valley stepped in after the facilities’ previous owner, Guardian Healthcare, filed for bankruptcy. It was a lifeline for residents and a chance to revitalize struggling homes. But the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), representing…

Portland, OR – Federal authorities have charged a mother and daughter from Tigard, Oregon, with forcing three Haitian migrants, including a minor, into indentured servitude. Marie Gertrude Jean Valmont, 66, and Yolandita Marie Andre, 30, operated Velida’s Care Home, where they coerced the victims to work under harsh conditions for little or no pay. Trafficking Scheme Exposed Prosecutors allege Valmont and Andre lured two adults and a child from Haiti to the U.S. in September 2023. They promised jobs and a better future. After the victims arrived in Portland, Valmont and Andre took their immigration documents. The victims were then…

Trenton, NJ – New Jersey nursing homes have launched a legal battle against the state’s mandatory staffing law. The 2020 legislation, which sets strict staffing requirements, has come under fire for being both impractical and unconstitutional. Several facilities, supported by the Health Care Association of New Jersey (HCANJ), filed the lawsuit in Mercer County’s Superior Court. They argue that the law’s staffing demands are impossible to meet, especially given the ongoing workforce shortages made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Unworkable Staffing Requirements The law mandates specific staffing ratios: one certified nursing assistant (CNA) for every eight residents during the day,…

In the realm of healthcare, competition isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the lifeblood of quality care. The recent turmoil surrounding Arizona’s Long Term Care System (ALTCS) contract awards has thrown this into sharp relief, leaving many deeply concerned about the future of patient care in the state. The Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System’s (AHCCCS) decision to limit the ALTCS program to just two managed care organizations – Arizona Complete Health and UnitedHealthcare – is a dangerous gamble. It flies in the face of the principles of a free market and patient choice. When a single entity, or in this…

Editor’s Note: This update is provided to clarify a potential factual inaccuracy. Mercy Care remains committed to the Arizona Medicaid market and continues to serve its members. The recent developments, including the state’s decision to pause member transition activities, are specific to the ALTCS E/PD procurement and do not impact Mercy Care’s other vital services in the state. Phoenix, AZ – A looming crisis threatens Arizona’s healthcare safety net, particularly for seniors, as 2 of the top 3 insurers exit the state’s Medicaid program and a single entity, Arizona Complete Health (ACH), rapidly expands its footprint. This seismic shift in…

Pittsburgh, PA —In the wake of Guardian Healthcare’s recent bankruptcy filing, a glimmer of hope has emerged for the residents and communities served by the beleaguered nursing home chain. Valley West Health’s potential acquisition of 11 Guardian facilities signals a positive shift for an industry grappling with financial turmoil and operational challenges. A Track Record of Transformation Oxford Valley Health (parent of Valley West Health) isn’t a stranger to turning around struggling nursing homes. The remarkable transformation of Desert Peak Care Center, once a facility teetering on the edge of closure, stands as a testament to their commitment to quality…

Phoenix, AZ – A legal battle has erupted in Arizona over Medicaid contracts, leaving thousands of elderly and disabled residents facing uncertainty about their healthcare future. An administrative law judge ruled Friday that the state’s Medicaid agency, AHCCCS, had improperly awarded contracts to companies providing long-term care services. The ruling throws a wrench into AHCCCS’s plan to transition some 26,000 individuals enrolled in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) to new health plans on October 1. The judge sided with three health plans that appealed the contract awards, agreeing that AHCCCS’s process was “seriously flawed.” “The administrative law judge…