Author: Riley Donovan

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…