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July 30, 2019
Free Consumer Voice Webinar on Newly Released Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Regulations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released proposed changes to the 2016 nursing home regulations, The stated purpose of these changes is to reduce the burden on providers. At the same time, CMS issued its final rule on nursing home arbitration agreements, which has a goal to “achieve a better balance between the advantages and disadvantages” of pre-dispute arbitration for residents and providers.
Join Consumer Voice on Thursday, August 8, 2019 4:00 - 5:15 PM ET for a webinar - Changes to the 2016 Federal Nursing Home Regulations: What’s Proposed, What’s Final, & What to Do About It. At the webinar, you will:
- Learn what CMS is proposing to eliminate or modify in the current nursing home regulations
- Find out the details and impact of the final rule on arbitration in nursing homes
- Hear about action steps you can take to let your voice be heard and protect residents
Presenters
Eric Carlson, Directing Attorney, Justice in Aging
Toby Edelman, Senior Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy
Robyn Grant, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Consumer Voice
Lori Smetanka, Executive Director, Consumer Voice
Register now.
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CMS Releases Latest List of Special Focus Facilities and Candidates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the latest list of Special Focus Facilities (SFF) and candidates (July 24, 2019). Currently, 88 nursing facilities are designated as SFFs, and more than 400 additional facilities are considered candidates for the SFF list, meaning they meet the eligibility criteria for the program. To be considered for the SFF program, a facility must have a history (at least 3 years) of serious quality issues. These nursing facilities generally have more deficiencies than the average facility, and more serious problems such as harm or injury to residents.
Special Focus Facilities have more frequent surveys and are subject to progressive enforcement until it either graduates from the program or is terminated from Medicare and/or Medicaid.
CMS updates the list monthly.
For more information about long-term care issues, including selecting a nursing home visit our website at www.theconsumervoice.org.
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Share How You Stand for Quality
Residents' Rights Month is all about celebrating the rights of residents living in long-term care facilities. It's a time to focus on all the ways the long-term care community - residents, family members, staff members, and advocates - can work together to stand for quality.
To show your spirit during Residents' Rights Month and year-round, Consumer Voice has new "I Stand for Quality" buttons:
 Available in packs of 20, 50, and 100.
See the Consumer Voice Store product sheet for more available resources and products.
Plus, remember to submit your entry to the 2019 Resident's Voice Challenge! Residents' voices are the most important part about Residents' Rights Month, and we want to hear what you have to say! Tell us how or why you Stand of Quality using this sign. Email your photo with your sign to info@theconsumervoice.org. (Join in! All advocates are encouraged to fill out the sign and share their response!) Plus, residents are invited to respond to the prompt questions to share their voices! Submissions are due September 1. Find more information about the Resident's Voice Challenge here. Need some inspiration? See last year's Resident's Voice entries here.
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Spotlight on Resources
 Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice and NORC websites to explore all the available resources. Check out this week's highlighted resource:
A Consumer Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
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In this Issue
Free Consumer Voice Webinar on Newly Released Proposed Changes to Nursing Home Regulations
CMS Releases Latest List of Special Focus Facilities and Candidates
Share How You Stand for Quality
Spotlight on Resources
Calendar of Events
Tuesday, August 6: Financial Capacity for People Living with Dementia and their Caregivers, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center
Thursday, August 8: Changes to the 2016 Federal Nursing Home Regulations: What's Proposed, What's Final & What to Do About It, 4:00pm ET, Consumer Voice webinar
October: Residents' Rights Month
November 3-6, 2019: Consumer Voice Annual Conference, Crystal Gateway Marriott, Arlington, Virginia
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Thursday, July 25:
Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka answers Senator Maggie Hassan's question about how to protect nursing home residents from abuse and neglect during Tuesday's Sentate Finance Committee hearing.
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Monday, July 22:
Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka will testify during tomorrow's @SenFinance Hearing - Promoting Elder Justice: A Call for Reform
Long-Term Care Resources & News
Read past issues of The Voice here.
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